If you’ve been injured in an accident or believe you were fired for illegal reasons, you might be considering a legal claim. Whether it’s a personal injury or wrongful termination case in New York, how you handle yourself in the early stages can significantly impact your outcome.
Before speaking to anyone or posting anything online, here are three common mistakes you should avoid to protect your potential legal rights:
1. Avoid Posting About Your Legal Claim on Social Media
In today’s world, it’s easy—and tempting—to vent on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. But if you’ve been hurt or wrongfully terminated, sharing details about your case online can seriously hurt your legal claim.
What many don’t realize is that anything you post can be used as evidence in court. For example, if you claim you’re suffering from severe back pain but post photos of yourself dancing at a party or going hiking, the defense can argue that you’re not as injured as you say.
Even if your post seems harmless, it could be twisted out of context. In New York personal injury and employment law cases, defense attorneys frequently review social media for inconsistencies. The safest bet? Stay off social media or avoid posting anything related to your case or injuries.
2. Don’t Give a Statement to Insurance Companies or Investigators Without Legal Advice
After an accident or dispute, it’s common for insurance adjusters or representatives from the other side to reach out to you. They may sound friendly and offer to “help,” but remember this:
Their goal is to gather a recorded statement to lock you into a version of events—often before you’ve had time to fully process what happened. If your story changes later, even slightly, they may claim you’re lying or exaggerating.
In New York, where insurance companies are known to build strong cases early, this can be especially damaging. Always speak with a New York attorney before giving any recorded statement or signing any documents.
3. Be Careful What You Say to Your Doctor About Filing a Lawsuit
When you’re getting medical care—whether it’s for physical injuries or emotional stress after a termination—it’s crucial to focus on your symptoms and treatment, not your legal plans.
Why? Because everything you say in a medical setting can be written in your records, and those records may later be seen by the other side’s lawyers. If you tell your doctor you’re “thinking about suing,” a defense attorney may try to claim your treatment is motivated by the lawsuit—not your injuries.
This happens often in New York personal injury and employment cases. While it may seem innocent to mention legal action, it can ultimately be used against you. Stick to discussing your pain, limitations, and mental health—not your legal intentions.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit in New York—whether for a car accident, slip and fall, or wrongful termination—these three mistakes can derail your case before it even starts:
- Avoid social media posts about the situation
- Don’t give statements to insurance companies or opposing parties without a lawyer
- Keep legal talk out of your medical appointments
The best way to protect your rights is to consult with an experienced New York attorney as early as possible. If you found this information helpful, feel free to like this post and follow our page for more legal tips.