Earlier this year, Reuters Legal reported an increase in the inclusion of content on social networking sites as evidence in trials, particularly personal injury cases.

Two state courts and a Federal ruling have given defendants access to classified photos and postings, indicating a legal shift and reflecting a larger conversation about the privacy of personal information online. The article pointed to a New York Supreme Court ruling allowing the defense to use MySpace postings of smiley faces to disprove a plaintiff’s personal injury claim that she suffered “serious permanent personal injuries.”

If you get caught up in a law suit, insurance companies will search out any means to attack your claim.

In reporting the Reuters piece, the Wall Street Journal Law Blog noted a Pennsylvania judge’s ruling that while mediums like MySpace and Facebook could be used “as forums to divulge and seek advice on personal and private matters … it would be unrealistic to expect that such disclosures would be considered confidential.”

Be careful what you post on the internet and put in emails. If you get caught up in a law suit, insurance companies will search out any means to attack your claim. Don’t be careless.