Could a Private Eye Be Involved in Your Personal Injury Claim?
Posted on: 15 November 2021
If you have been injured and are sure that you were in no way at fault, you're perfectly entitled to lodge a claim for damages. In some situations, your injuries may be significant, long-lasting and may make it difficult for you to perform certain actions or even go to work. As you can imagine, you may well be able to receive a significant payout when damages are ascertained, the other party is found to be at fault and an insurance company will often be on the hook. However, you need to be particularly careful in such a situation as the insurance company may well employ a private investigator. What do you need to know about their potential approach?
Employing Private Eyes
Every insurance company is in business to make profits and, where possible, will always want to lower their exposure. Therefore, they often use private investigators to try and build a case that may lower the amount of money they have to pay. Private investigators are good at doing their job without being obtrusive, so you may not even know if you are under surveillance as they attempt to gather incriminating evidence against you.
Within Limits
All this is perfectly legal – to a point. Private investigators are not allowed to harass you or to gather any evidence within your private properties. They are not allowed to bug your phone or stalk you and must always work within the letter of the law.
Potential for Damage
Nevertheless, you should be careful to ensure that you do not do anything that could damage any long-term claim.
For example, if you maintain that your injuries stop you from going to work, you should never take a side job to try and make some spare cash. This evidence could be used against you as a private investigator will probably gather still or video footage to show what you are doing.
Social Media Silence
Also, be careful what you post on social media. Again, a private investigator will look at your different accounts. You should never post anything to show that you are engaged in some form of outdoor pastime or sport. It doesn't matter if you are able to do so without issue based on your specific, long-term injury.
Professional Help
If you are unsure of what you should or should not do, or you feel that a private investigator may be involved, talk the situation through with a local personal injury lawyer. They should always be at your side as long as the case is active, and they can certainly help counter any claims that the insurance company may make.
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