Why would an airline, or an airline’s workers compensation insurance company, hire investigators to follow an injured airline employee ? Why would the air carriers’ gumshoes search the disabled workers’ FaceBook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media ?

According to air injury lawyer Doug Landau, the short answer is “Economics.”

“Airlines have an economic interest in reducing or eliminating their workers compensation liability to injured employees. So, spending several hundred dollars on private investigators is in their economic self interest. If it is a serious permanent injury case, and the insurance company is looking at a Hearing that may result in an Award of benefits or a settlement of several hundred thousands of dollars, then the investment in these professional “spies” makes sense to them. There is almost no risk, other than the expense, and if they come up with material they can use in Court, they will do so to delay, reduce or eliminate the benefits to the injured worker. With their greater funding, the airlines’ insurance companies can spend this money to protect the premium dollars that have collected.”

While there are certainly cases where injured employees have done things inconsistent with their physical condition and/or their medical treatment regimen

“It is not a popularity contest,” adds Landau, “but economic reality. It is not whether your airline co-workers like you, management has given you awards or you have more longevity than anyone else at the airport, but rather if the bean counters think they can save a buck.”

So, if you or someone you know or care for has been injured as the result of an airport terminal workplace, airplane crew or other air travel related accident and there are questions about what rights you have, whether you are being followed and what laws apply, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.