According to surveys conducted by Statistica, the number of social media users throughout the world jumped from 1 billion in 2010 to just under 3 billion in 2019. While entities like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat can serve as great outlets for users to share their latest life events and keep up with friends and loved ones, these platforms can potentially have a negative impact on a personal injury claim if those involved share too much. If you are an avid “poster,” you need to be cautious about what you share and how you convey information if you have been injured in an accident. No matter how private your profiles are, certain agencies will still scour the web to find material that can affect your claim. This material might not seem incriminating, but in many cases, insurance companies who are out to pay as little as possible for your claim will try to find evidence to prove that your injuries aren’t as severe as they seem. For example, let’s say you suffered a severe hip injury following an accident, and part of your claim is that you can no longer pick up heavy objects. If you harmlessly share a photo of you holding your child on social media to keep your family and friends updated on recent events, an insurance company might use the photo in an attempt to prove that you are aggrandizing the severity of your injury. HOW CAN FACEBOOK AFFECT YOUR CLAIM? “WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?”
IN A PLANT’S DEFENSE
Many trees and plants are beginning to bloom, which means that they will soon have to ward off various predators. Most animals have a fight-or-flight response when faced with a dangerous situation, but plants can’t run or physically fight the dangers they face on a daily basis. However, what they lack in claws and teeth, they make up for in chemical and mechanical defenses. Many of us are familiar with thorns, prickles, and spines, which are all examples of a plant’s physical defense. But many other plants’ physical defenses are not as obvious. Trees protect themselves with thick, hard-to-eat bark, which is comprised of a natural polymer called lignin. Leaves are often coated in a natural wax, which deters most insects and pathogens. Some leaves have trichomes, which are sharp, hair-like features that stab or prick insects’ legs as they try to land or walk on its surface. Trichomes often also release toxins that can cause irritation and inflammation. Some plants contain microscopic, sharp crystals that puncture and inject chemicals into an animal’s mouth once they’ve bitten it. When a plant’s external defense fails, its internal protection takes charge. A plant lacks an immune system; instead, each cell is programmed to defend against any foreign object that comes in contact with it. If an insect or disease attacks the plant, the plant will thicken its cell walls with waxy plating, close its leaf pores, and kill off sections of itself to preserve the whole plant. Plants also have unique chemicals that are deadly to insects and microbes, some of which we use today as seasonings, medicine, or drugs. In addition to toxic compounds, plants can release hormones into the air that warn neighboring plants or even attract other insects to kill would-be attackers. THE INTERESTING METHODS THEY USE TO FIGHT PREDATORS EXTERNAL DEFENSES INTERNAL DEFENSES
To ensure that you aren’t negatively affecting your claim, you should take the time to consider how a post could potentially be used as evidence against you before sharing it online. Avoid posting specific information regarding the facts of the accident, any issues you’re having finding treatment for your injuries, or conversations you’ve had with your attorney. If all else fails, you might also consider deactivating your accounts until your case is settled. If you have any further questions or know someone who might need advice about their own potential case, don’t hesitate to give our office a call today! We care, and we want to do all we can to make a tough situation better.
If you’ve decided to plant a garden this year, take some time to find out which natural defenses your plants wield.
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