Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Social media sites like Facebook being used to spy on injured workers. This is a growing phenomenon, which could spell real problems for personal injury or worker's compensation claimants especially. Some very worthwhile tips:

1.Make sure there is nothing you would not want your mother or the insurance company lawyer to see.
2.Search your name to see that what comes up is acceptable. Make whatever adjustments are necessary.
3.Check your privacy settings.
4.Don't answer emails or requests from people you don't know. (Keep in mind that because of the lawsuit process, the opposing legal team knows a lot about you and could send you an email that might make you think you know each other.)
5.Don’t accept a Facebook friend that you don’t know. Set up your Facebook to require an email before you will accept a new friend.

And, speaking as a lawyer who knows that most lawyers are way behind the technology curve, volunteer to your lawyer if you are prominent on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media. It could make the difference between a salvageable case and getting blindsided at trial.

Monday, November 07, 2011

Sober Brad Paisley pulled over for suspected DUI. My question is, why then was he pulled over?
Man to Social Security: I'm Not Dead! This part, I love: ""There could be cases where we've erroneously terminated someone," said Frank Vieria, who works in public affairs at the Social Security Administration."

I'm glad that guy's not a hit man. After all, erroneous termination is a bad thing, right?
Father fights delay in Social Security Disability payments: Terminally ill daughter died before Social Security benefits arrived.

The arbitrary five month waiting period is ridiculous. And is the "People's House" (House of Representatives) doing anything about it? No:

That bill, the Social Security Fairness for the Terminally Ill Act of 2009, was not passed before the session of Congress in which it was proposed ended.

Today there is a new bill in the House of Representatives — the Social Security Fairness for the Terminally Ill Act of 2011 — that aims to do the same thing. The bill is currently under legislative review.

What do you want to bet that the pending bill never sees the light of day?