Ottawa Lawyer | Facebook Evidence Causes Judge To Rethink Lawsuit
Our personal injury lawyers know that what happened to this man could happen to you! A Newfoundland man’s lawsuit was ruined, partly due to Facebook postings which contradicted his claims.
The man filed the lawsuit after he suffered whiplash as a result of two car accidents in 2001 and 2003. In addition to other losses, he said the injuries affected his social life, claiming his friends no longer phoned him to go out because he continuously declined their invitations.
At one point the man also said he had trouble playing pool – a favourite pastime of he and his friends – since he wasn’t able to bend over the table after making a couple of shots.
However defence lawyers produced evidence from the man’s Facebook profile that suggested his social life had not been affected at all. Postings made on his page showed that he hosted and attended parties, went to friend’s cabins, and several other activities. The Supreme Court Justice came to the conclusion that the plaintiff exaggerated the toll his injuries took.
After being confronted with the evidence, the man shut down his Facebook page.
He was awarded $40,000 in general damages for pain and suffering, however the judge rejected his claims which sought up to $1.3 million.
