After a serious injury, you might be surprised—and understandably frustrated—to find that the insurance company involved in your case has hired a private investigator to monitor your activities. Many people in personal injury and workers' compensation cases face this type of surveillance, which is generally permissible under current laws and practices. While this might feel invasive, understanding what’s happening and how to respond can make a big difference in protecting your case.

Insurance companies typically have two main goals when they conduct surveillance:

Insurance companies hope to catch you doing something that might seem inconsistent with your claimed injuries. For instance, if you’re recovering from a serious back injury, but are observed lifting heavy items, they may question the extent of your limitations.

Another tactic involves using recorded evidence to contradict your statements. For example, if they obtain footage of you shoveling snow and you later testify that you can’t do such activities, this discrepancy can be used to challenge your credibility.

Unfortunately, there’s little you can do to prevent surveillance. However, knowing it may happen is a valuable advantage, as it allows you to take a straightforward, proactive approach.

1. One of the most common fears is that admitting you can perform certain activities—even with limitations—will hurt your case. But the opposite is often true. If you deny doing something they’ve captured on camera, it may seriously harm your credibility, which can reduce the value of your claim.

In the end, the best defense against surveillance is honesty. The most valuable asset in any injury case is your credibility. By staying truthful and not overstating limitations, you protect the integrity of your claim and help ensure that you’re treated fairly. Give LLDDC Law, your Des Moines' injury attorneys, a call. The call is 100% free and there is no cost to you until we take your case and win.