If you’ve sustained a work injury, then you know there is so much to keep up with: from filing injury reports to keeping up with medical records. What you might not have considered is how your latest tweet or selfie could be damaging your workers’ compensation case.
Insurance companies are always looking for anything that might cast doubt on the validity of a claim. For instance, if there was no witness, if there are conflicting reports of how the injury occurred, or if there was a delay in reporting the claim, then an insurer will want to look for other means to verify the claim. One such method is using social media.
Insurers will often use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media sites, to investigate your activities to look for contradictions to your claims. For example, if you were to post a selfie of yourself on vacation, when you’re supposedly taking time for recovery, the insurance company may see that as grounds to cancel your benefits. Other things they look for would be any evidence that you’re doing physical activity not related to your recovery, like posting pictures of yourself playing sports or working out at the gym. They also might look to see if you mention working at a second job. Basically they’re looking for anything that would show that your injury is not as debilitating as you claim it is or that you’re not taking your recovery seriously.
Of course that’s not to say you shouldn’t use social media! Just be aware of what you’re posting, and use common sense. Think about how the insurer is going to view your post. What might feel well within your work restrictions to you, might not to an insurance company. When in doubt, don’t post it!
What happens if you sustain an injury coming from or going to work? Workman’s comp doesn’t cover any incidents that happen off your employer’s property—but it CAN cover injuries that occur when you are on the premises as you are going to or leaving work. This is called the “coming and going rule.” Walking into work from the parking lot or walking out of work to your car, for instance, are examples of typically acceptable cases for workers’ compensation benefits.
There is one thing to keep in mind, however. If your employer has a duty to transport employees or furnish transportation to employment, it is very possible that any injuries sustained during transportation can be covered—even if they occurred while going to and from work, outside of the typical coming and going rule.
Would you like to know more about your rights regarding workplace injuries? Contact Oxner + Permar, and we’ll put you in touch with a team who is knowledgeable and who cares deeply about helping you understand—and fight for—your rights. Whether or not you pursue a legal case, we will make sure you have the information you need to feel confident and move forward in a positive direction.
Under NC Workers Compensation law, employers and their insurance carriers are allowed to hire nurse case managers to assist in coordinating medical treatment. Although the nurse case manager is paid by your employer, take comfort in knowing that they are expected to be impartial and exercise independent judgment. In fact, nurse case managers are required to adhere to the NC Industrial Commission Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers Compensation Claims.
When working with a nurse case manager, make sure you know your rights. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
The Oxner + Permar team supports our troops. We take time to remember and thank our service men and women on Memorial Day—and throughout the year. We support charities that help our service men and women lead safe, healthy lives. And when our service men and women have been injured during their civilian job or they are struggling on the job with injuries sustained during their service, we are there for them. In fact, our firm has assisted a number of soldiers who are working after being discharged from service.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for work injuries and service injuries to create too many obstacles for service men and women to return to gainful employment. If you (or someone you know) is in this same position, it is important to have an attorney on your side, fighting for your rights. Oxner + Permar helps servicemen and women coordinate workers’ compensation benefits as well as social security disability. There are more options available than you may realize. With our guidance and support, you’ll find a path forward to the quality of life you’ve worked so hard for—and that is so important, especially given the sacrifices you’ve made to help others.
Over the last few years, the housing market in Raleigh has really been booming. With all of the new people moving to the area, we’ve seen huge growth in the amount of new construction. However, with all of the blessings of economic growth come some unavoidable problems. With an increase in construction and construction jobs, we also see an increase of job site accidents and work injuries.
From all of us at Oxner + Permar, please remember to stay safe on the job. While finishing a project may seem all-important at the time, don’t use a deadline as an excuse to cut corners when it comes to following safety regulation and using the proper safety equipment. The best way to avoid dealing with worker’s compensation is to not need it in the first place!
Of course, even when following proper procedures, accidents can happen. We’ve seen all kinds of injuries including orthopedic injuries caused by falls from ladders, roofs, and scaffolds. What you might not know is that even if you are working for a subcontractor who does not provide workman’s comp, you may still fall under the worker’s comp policy for the general contractor.
If you work in construction and find yourself injured at on the job, be sure to contact an attorney for a free 30 minute consultation. Make sure you are taking the steps to ensure that your rights are being protected.
