Surveillance & the Law: Is Someone Watching You?
What is surveillance?
Most of us associate surveillance with some sort of law enforcement effort, but over the years, insurance companies have relied on surveillance to help them defeat specific disability claims.
You're probably wondering whether or not the insurance company has the right to do this in the first place. As unfair as it sounds, the law does allow them to engage in limited surveillance. An insurance company may shoot video, take audio, or take still photographs of person anytime they are in a public setting. This includes common activities like going out to eat or going out for a walk. These investigations cannot involve trespassing on private property or any interception of electronic communications.
Sounds pretty scary, right? Below are some ideas of things to keep in mind if you think you might be under surveillance by your insurance company.
What to do if you're under surveillance
If you believe you are under surveillance, you should immediately advise your lawyer. You should call the police if you feel threatened. Do not exaggerate your limitations for the camera. Do not get angry or confrontational with the investigator.
Insurance companies routinely conduct a detailed investigation on a claimant's background. They do this by hiring an investigation company to collect evidence for them. You may be videotaped and your neighbours and co-workers may be interviewed about your background, activities, and injuries. Claimants and witnesses cannot be threatened, and the investigator cannot defame the claimant.
With respect to video surveillance, your insurance company's investigator will typically park a surveillance van near your house and videotape your activities. The investigator is permitted to follow your movements, whether you are on foot or in your vehicle.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
Denied your long term disability claim?
Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.
