Surveillance is most helpful when a tip is received. If someone close to the claimant provides a tip that the claimant is not telling the truth about limitations or injuries, surveillance is warranted. Otherwise, the likelihood of success is limited. As stated earlier, certain attorneys may have a special relationship with a doctor. This search can reveal how many cases show a connection.
Questionable claims can be a family enterprise.
A spouse's claim file may well produce useful information on the history of the claimant and the spouse. There may be old depositions or statements that are incriminating. Social security number validation is important to ensure that the claimant is who he says he is, and that the number does not belong to someone else with a different claiming history. Social security validation can be done through the larger credit reporting agencies such as Trans Union or Equifax. At trial Trial is the forum wherein the questionable claim is exposed.