Workers Comp: Facebook Photo Admissible As Evidence
An injured worker was denied benefits when an Arkansas Court admitted into evidence Facebook pictures that were posted on line showing him drinking and partying. The worker had alleged that as a result of a hernia, sustained at work, he was in excruciating pain.
The trial court held that the evidence went to the weight to be given his testimony and it was within the province of the Court admit them into evidence. The Court dismissed the injured worker's argument that the Facebook photos "are a disgrace to the dignity of the workers' compensation proceeding and the legal system." The case was dismissed.
Clement v. Johnson's Warehouse Showroom, 2012 Ark. App. 17, 2012 WL 11285 (Ark.App.)
Employers should remember that today's world has changed and there are easy to use and free social media tools availabe at their fingertips that are very powerful as you can see from this case as the claim was dismissed. Another service that has no-out-pocket expenses is workers compensation premium recovery.