We all know how prevalent social media is in this day and age. It’s likely you have an account on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or SnapChat. You may have an account on them all. These sites are designed to keep us connected to family, friends, and the rest of the world.
While this is a good thing, it’s important to be aware that anything posted on social media could also be used against you. If your social media account is set to “public”, anyone with access to the internet can view anything you post. Even when your account is protected with privacy settings, it’s not impossible for others to get ahold of information you share. This includes your employer, your coworkers, administrative law judges, Social Security case managers, and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
If you have suffered a work-related injury, your employer and/or the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation may take a look at your social media accounts. They do this to see what they can use against you in order to minimize their liability. Specifically, they may try to find information they feel is inconsistent with your injuries.
Rule of thumb – don’t post anything on social media that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see.