Millions of people turn to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) to share life updates and personal milestones and vent about difficult situations. If this is your instinct, know that you are certainly not alone.
However, if you’ve filed a workers’ compensation claim, it’s important to understand that what you post online can have serious consequences. In fact, social media activity has been – and can be – used as evidence to deny workers’ compensation claims.
Why staying off social media after a work injury is wise
Insurance companies are increasingly using social media to investigate claims. If you’re seeking benefits for a workplace injury, insurers may monitor your online presence to find information that contradicts your claim. A single photo, comment or video—whether taken out of context or not—can raise doubts about the severity of your injury or the legitimacy of your claim.
For example, if you claim that a back injury prevents you from lifting heavy objects or walking without pain but then post pictures from a weekend hike or dancing at a party, that can be used to argue that you are not as injured as you claim. Even lighthearted posts or old content that gets reshared can be misinterpreted. Insurance companies may also look at your friends’ posts that tag you or show you engaged in activities that seem inconsistent with your reported injury.
It’s also not just physical activity that can raise red flags. If you’re claiming emotional distress or mental health issues due to a workplace injury or hostile work environment, posts showing you smiling or enjoying yourself can be twisted to suggest you’re not truly suffering. Unfortunately, social media often captures only a small and curated slice of reality—something insurers can use to their advantage.
Privacy settings won’t always protect you. Investigators may request access to your accounts through discovery, or they may view public posts, comments, likes and even photos you’re tagged in. Courts have generally ruled that if the content is relevant to your claim, it may be admissible as evidence—even if it was meant to be private.
Because of this, the best approach while pursuing a workers’ compensation claim is to stay off social media entirely. Avoid posting updates, pictures or comments related to your injury, your employer or your personal life. Don’t accept new friend requests or messages from people you don’t know, as investigators may try to access your content that way.