With out passing a judgment whether what she had done is right or wrong in terms of claiming insurance,it is imperative that who use social networks,are careful about the information they provide in these sites;at times it may prove to be very dangerous.
A WOMAN on long-term sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits because her insurance agent found photos of her on Facebook in which she appeared to be having fun.
Nathalie Blanchard has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, for the past year.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) reported on Saturday she was diagnosed with major depression and was receiving monthly sick-leave benefits from insurance giant Manulife.
But the payments dried up this (northern) autumn and when Blanchard called Manulife, she said she was told she was available to work because of Facebook.
She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard posted on Facebook, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday.
Blanchard said Manulife told her it was evidence she was no longer depressed. She is fighting to get her benefits reinstated and said her lawyer is exploring what the next step should be.
Blanchard told the CBC that on her doctor’s advice, she tried to have fun, including nights out at her local bar with friends and short getaways to sun destinations, as a way to forget her problems.
Manulife wouldn’t comment on Blanchard’s case, but did say they would not deny or terminate a claim solely based on information published on web sites such as Facebook.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26384298-5013016,00.html
