"Can one social media photo put your disability benefits at risk?"

[Mij]

"You’re off work as a result of illness or injury. On a better day, you meet a friend for coffee and smile for a photo.

Now imagine your insurance company pointing to that same image as a reason to question your long-term disability (LTD) benefits.

Insurers may scrape your public social media posts or hire investigators to observe your activities. They still have to follow privacy rules.

For someone relying on those payments to cover the mortgage or groceries, that can be frightening. But a photo doesn’t automatically prove you’re ready to return to work."

Julie Austin’s case shows why context matters
Our firm represented Julie Austin, a Barrie teacher who suffered a brain injury after being assaulted by a student. Global News covered her fight for disability benefits.

Her insurer relied on surveillance photographs to question her claim. My colleague James K. Fireman showed that the photos actually supported her disability. Our firm helped Julie recover $113,000 in compensation and fought for additional benefits.

Julie’s case shows why surveillance needs to be considered alongside the medical evidence and the demands of working.

 

[Mij]

I always go power walking in the evenings when it's dark out. You never know.

I personally don't post any photos of myself online.