Once a worker files for Workers’ Compensation, the employer’s insurance company will likely gather evidence of the injuries before initiating the settlement and releasing benefits. The insurer can obtain copies of the medical reports and other records. 

Similarly, many employees are bothered that an insurance investigator regarding their compensation will follow them. A worker should know that they might be followed by an investigator hired by the insurance company. 

Workers can hire lawyers if they are worried about their claims and privacy. Besides, it will be beneficial for you to know about the role of an investigator in workers’ compensation. 

When will an investigator follow me? 

Anytime a worker files for a claim, an investigator might start following them or investigating their case. A worker will be more likely to be followed by an investigator if they have a large claim, has filed for a workers’ claim before, or if the insurance company is concerned about fraud. 

Some workers think an investigator will not follow them if the case has no red flags. However, an investigator can still follow a worker even if their case appears clean. The reason why an investigator may follow a worker is to gather evidence about the worker’s injuries. 

How will an investigator investigate a worker?

An investigator can use several tactics when hired by an insurance company. Below are some of the ways which an investigator can use: 

• Interview

The investigator can likely interview the workers’ friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. They might ask several questions regarding the worker’s history of being injured in the workplace and their performance at the workplace. 

• Direct contact

Private investigators might directly contact the injured worker’s family to investigate the matter. The worker’s family should be prepared to answer any questions the investigator asks. 

• Video surveillance

A worker should know that an investigator can monitor them and their house and collect photographic and video evidence. Such surveillance can include the worker’s photos and videos in public spaces and in places where the doctor did not advise them to visit. 

• Online Surveillance

Social media can come into play when talking about online surveillance. Private investigators can see anything posted by the injured worker on any social media platform. Even if a worker shares something on a social media platform by changing the settings to private, investigators can get access to it if the worker’s friends repost the shared material. 

Similarly, an investigator can monitor the injured worker’s online activity. As a result, a worker must be cautious about posting anything online on social media platforms. 

• Direct surveillance

Lastly, an investigator can also follow a worker directly with or without monitoring them online and collecting buxic photographs or video evidence.