What happens if a private investigator takes a
video of you mowing the lawn and sends it to your insurance company? Are you in
trouble? Will your benefits be cut off? Will your lawyer not want to have
anything more to do with you?
These are frequent fears that individuals have
when they are receiving income replacement benefits from an insurance company.
It is very common for private investigators, hired by your insurance company,
to follow you around and take pictures of you going about your regular
activities.
This does not make you a criminal, although you
may feel that you are being treated that way. Rather, it seems to be more of a
routine procedure used by most insurance companies, for most individuals making
claims. This does not make it any less stressful for you. You are just one of
the insurance companies cases and this is what they routinely do. It does suck
though, not only for you, but also for family members that may feel frightened
and intimidated.
In general, video surveillance can only make
trouble for you if you are dishonest. If they catch you in a lie, and can show
evidence that you lied with a video of you, this does hurt your credibility.
If you are mowing the lawn, usually for short
periods of time, generally any video surveillance of this activity will not be
a problem. Most people with accident related injuries are able to do activities
for short periods of time, even mowing their lawn. Your doctor should know that
you do try to do these activities when you can. This way if your lawyer sends a
picture to your doctor showing you mowing the lawn, your doctor will not be
surprised. In fact, your doctor may have recommended that you do as many
activities as you can, again for short periods of time.
The most important thing that you can do to
protect your credibility and your benefits is to be open and honest with your
doctors, therapists and lawyer. Most limitations from physical injuries do not
involve paralysis, but do involved limitations of endurance and stamina. Most
accident victims are able to do many activities, but only for short periods of
time. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to work when you can only be active
for a brief time periods.
This is a very important topic and I will return
to it over and over again in later posts.
Yours with Care - Mike
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