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Can Facebook Affect My Claim? 5 Need To Know Tips

According to Mintel, Northern Ireland has 1.4 million Facebook users. With this figure in mind, it comes as little surprise that the social media platform has become impactful in areas that might seem unlikely at first. One such place of impact, believe it or not, is personal injury claims.

77% of Northern Ireland is on Facebook

Whether you were involved in a car accident or sustained an injury at work, it is certainly not uncommon for the defending party, their insurers or appointed solicitor to look to personal Facebook accounts when attempting to build a defence when someone is seeking compensation from them. This works both ways of course. We, at Paschal O’Hare Solicitors, have served evidence obtained from Facebook in the past which ultimately won the case (Check out the Case Study).

Social Media is a digital tool that is used to tell stories to our friends and followers, and often, to people unknown to us. It is designed for fun and enjoyment, however sometimes a false or unintended narrative can be created using the information available. This is something defendants might wish to exploit to weaken the case against them.

When pursuing a claim, it is best to exercise caution when posting on social media. A post that may seem perfectly innocent or reasonable might be interpreted as something else.

Here are 5 Tips on how to conduct yourself digitally whilst pursuing a claim for compensation

  • Do not post written, photographic or recorded details about your accident.
  • Do not name the person or organisation that you are pursuing for compensation.
  • Resist the urge to tag yourself or post about activities that could be perceived as inappropriate for a person with your injuries. Even if the activity is entirely innocent in the context, the right picture at the wrong angle could make it look like your symptoms have been exaggerated.
  • Ensure your privacy settings protect you from the eyes of strangers (Click here to learn more).
  • Do not accept friend requests from people you don’t know. Private Investigators might use fake profiles to get around privacy settings.

These top tips to protect yourself would go a long way on other social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. As a rule of thumb; think before you post.


If you’ve been injured as a result of an accident and don’t know what to do now, submit a free enquiry form to discuss it with a solicitor or learn more about what we do here.

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