Social Media Discovery of Products Liability Issues
As you know, we here at Abnormal Use sometimes contribute content to other publications, and this week is no exception. Our own Jim Dedman saw the publication of his “Social Media Discovery of Products Liability Issues” piece in the most recent issue of DRI’s Strictly Speaking (for which Jim happens to serve as editor). Here’s the first two paragraphs:
Much has been written about the value of investigations into the social media presence of Plaintiffs in litigation. However, such advice typically centers upon the potential discovery of statements or photographs which contradict a Plaintiff’s testimony about his or her damages. Many a diligent practitioner has located compromising evidence which impeaches a Plaintiff’s testimony as to his or her purported injuries or limitations. Practitioners should also consider expanding the scope of their social media discovery efforts to include a Plaintiff’s online commentary regarding the use of the underlying product in products liability cases. These days, in an era when individuals offer online commentary about the most minute details of their lives, take photographs of their meals in order to post such images on Instagram, or share with their online communities their latest purchases or experiences, there is an increasing likelihood that such individuals may have commented about the purchase or use of the products being litigated.
In a recent case, a Plaintiff spent considerable time and energy excoriating a product which she felt caused her damages. Specifically, in this products liability case which resulted in flooding and damages to the home, the Plaintiff utilized Twitter, Facebook, and a personal blog created solely for the purpose of exploring her damages related to the product and her home. Over the course of multiple blog posts, the Plaintiff attempted to portray herself as a burgeoning expert the types of injuries she claimed to have suffered. These posts were at least initially difficult to locate due to the fact that the writer had adopted a pseudonym of sorts, and thus, they would not have been located but for diligent efforts. Certainly, although this particular Plaintiff created far more online evidence than a typical litigant, claimants still seem to forget the potential effect of their online remarks on their pending or subsequent litigation. In light of these issues, wise practitioners should search not just for social media profiles but also more specific commentary by a Plaintiff relating to the product. This can be done in several ways.
You can read the full article here.
