If you’ve suffered an injury in a maritime accident, what you say or do after the accident could have a big impact on the total compensation you’ll be able to collect for your injuries — this includes any comments or posts you publish on social media. You should be aware that anything you say can and will be used against you — even if it’s online — by the other side’s insurance company.
Injured Maritime Workers Have A Right To Seek Compensation For Their Injuries
Maritime work can be hazardous even under the best of conditions. A single careless act can result in disaster. That’s why workplace safety plays such an important part in the maritime industry.
When maritime employers fail to maintain a safe working environment and a worker becomes injured as a result, the Jones Act and other maritime laws give them the right to seek compensation for the damages caused by their injuries. These damages often include current and anticipated medical expenses, lost wages and employment, pain, suffering, mental anguish, and more. In order to collect these damages, the injured worker must file a maritime injury claim.
An Experienced Maritime Injury Attorney Can Help You Avoid Any Mistakes That Could Hurt Your Claim
Most workers in this situation hire an experienced maritime injury attorney to represent their claim. A maritime attorney will be able to protect your rights to ensure you get the total compensation that you are due. This includes helping you avoid any mistakes that could hurt your claim.
One of the mistakes they’ll warn against is discussing your maritime injury case on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. Anything you say can and will be used against you by the other side’s insurance company. A careless comment, photo, or video could sink your case.
The Insurance Companies Are Watching You
The insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They exist to make a profit. When people pay their premiums, the insurance company makes money. When they have to pay out a claim, they lose money.
In addition, insurance companies lose millions each year to fraudulent injury claims. So before they settle your maritime injury case, they’re going to investigate to ensure your injuries are as severe as you claim. At the same time, they’re going to look for any way to get out of paying your claim.
Think somebody’s stalking you? You’re not being paranoid. Insurance companies often place a claimant under surveillance during a claims investigation. They’re hoping to catch you in some act that shows your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. And it’s perfectly legal as long as they don’t trespass on your property or try to impede your actions.
They may also interview your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors in their attempts to cast doubt on your claim.
The Insurance Companies Are Following You On Social Media
Their main focus will be on your social media activity. You can count on the insurance company to follow your every post. Again, they’re looking for evidence to discredit your claim.
The best thing you can do immediately following your accident and during the claims process is to refrain from posting on social media altogether. This is difficult for a lot of people. If you must post on social media during your maritime injury case, here’s a few rules to follow:
Make sure your post doesn’t contain:
Even something as simple as a picture of you at a restaurant or birthday party, or a comment like “I’m feeling better since the accident,” could be used out of context by the insurance as proof that you aren’t as injured as you claim.
Speak To A Maritime Law Attorney Before You Go Online
Maritime employers and their insurance companies often go to extreme measures to get out of paying injured maritime workers the full and fair compensation they deserve for their accident-related injuries. You need an attorney with the skills, knowledge, and resources to fight for your rights to get the total compensation you deserve.
The law firm of Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso has been representing injured maritime workers for more than 40 years. Our attorneys are among the nation’s leading maritime injury attorneys. We’ve recovered over a billion dollars in settlements for our clients, who include victims of the Arco explosion and the drillship Seacrest capsize.
Don’t make the mistakes that could sink your case. Before you discuss your case with anyone — in person or online — contact our New Orleans maritime accident attorneys through our website or call us at (504) 581-1750 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.