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We live in a world where social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, giving us a means to stay connected to friends and family while sharing news and information both private and personal, major and life-changing, small, and mundane. While there are undoubtedly some benefits to having this capability, it’s also risky, especially when it comes to legal matters.

In personal injury cases, for example, a social media oversharing of case-related details could have a negative impact on how the claim plays out. Below is a brief introduction to this topic, shedding some light on what is a relatively new phenomenon.

You Are Being Watched

personal injuryWhenever we log into our social media accounts, we are not alone; the eyes and ears of the world have the potential to track our every virtual move. In personal injury cases, the responsible party's insurer is going to do anything they can to discredit you, and often, their first stop to gathering a case against you is to visit your social media accounts.

If you claim you suffered a debilitating slip and fall in a grocery store and are suing the store for personal injury damages, stay alert.  If you post photos of yourself dancing on the very same day the injury was sustained, an insurer monitoring your accounts will use this against you, and it won't look good for your case.

You Can Compound Your Legal Troubles

Social media also presents opportunities for users to compound their legal issues. Making negative, inflammatory, or offensive comments about the person or business you are suing could, in turn, get you sued for libel or slander. As tempting as it may be to want to log into your social media account to vent about your legal woes, remember that your public social media profiles are considered a part of the public record. We each have a responsibility to act with some degree of civility, whether or not we take this responsibility seriously.

How to Minimize Your Risk

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect yourself on social media when dealing with a personal injury case. Firstly, and most importantly, set all your accounts to private mode. This ensures that only those people on your friends' lists can see what you write, but make sure you know and trust everyone on these lists. Also, curb the desire to post case-related information or opinions until the problem has been effectively resolved. Share your social media activity with your lawyer as well; this just keeps them in the loop and allows them to better identify any risky behavior you may not even be aware you are engaging in.

 

If you have suffered a personal injury, turn to the lawyers at The Law Offices of Katzman, Logan, Halper and Bennett, LPA. They represent residents in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area in a wide range of legal issues, including accidents and injuries, estate planning, and divorce and family law matters. Call (513) 793-4400, visit the firm's website, or reach out to them on Facebook or Google+ to learn about any of their practice areas or to speak with an experienced legal professional.

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