arrow attorney-female attorney-male btn-close btn-menu checkmark document facebook g-plus linkedin logo play search twitter
COVID-19 - Learn More
Call 24/7 (877) 562-0000
  • Search
  • About Cory Watson
    • Our Attorneys
    • Partnership Opportunities
    • Testimonials
    • News
    • Blog
    • Cory Watson Cares
  • Cases We Handle
    • Nationwide
    • Alabama
    • Tennessee
  • Contact Us
    • Nationwide
    • Birmingham
    • Memphis
    • Nashville

Technology: Friend or Foe?

Nina Towle HerringBy Nina Towle Herring | June 13th, 2017

Kiev, Ukraine - May 21, 2014: Woman looking on health and fitness application such as Runtastic, FitBit, RunKeeper, Moves, Road Bike, Nike Running and others apps on a brand new black Apple iPhone 5S.

A recent case out of Middletown, Ohio made headlines this week about a man’s pacemaker providing information that may ultimately land him in jail.

Ross Compton told investigators that he was sleeping when a fire started in his house. Mr. Compton explained that he had just enough time to pack some items and climb out a bedroom window before the house burnt to the ground. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Mr. Compton’s pacemaker data which showed that during the time period of the fire Mr. Compton was awake and active.

This isn’t the first case of technology being used to prove or disprove a case. A physical trainer in Canada had an expert analyze his current activity data and compare it to other physical trainers to show how an automobile accident had affected his life. In March 2015, a woman claimed that she was sexually assaulted while she slept, but the tracking device she wore showed that she was awake and walking around.

These cases highlight the importance for everyone to know what their devices are saying about them. Pacemakers, Fitbits, cell phones, watches, tablets, and televisions are just a few devices that are tracking data by your activity.

Most smartphones come with a preloaded activity tracker that will count how many steps you take, how far you go, and how many stairs you climb.

These same phones are also preloaded with GPS tracking service to show where you go and how long you were there and keep track of your frequent locations.

Fitness/activity monitors like Fitbit, Apple watch, Nike Fuelband, and Jawbone calculate everything from heartbeat to sleep patterns to caloric intake. Fitbit can even track when you are around another Fitbit user.

shows 5 different apps on a mobile device that track health, such as heartrate and activity logs

Netflix and Hulu keep a record of all your account activity including what show you watched on what day.

There are apps out there to monitor menstruation, pregnancy, moods, weight loss, bowel movements, car performance, and even sunscreen usage.

Sometimes you don’t even know your activity is being monitored. Earlier this month, Vizio was fined $2.2 million for failing to notify customers that it was tracking their viewing habits. Doorbells are now equipped with small cameras and microphones to record movement outside front doors.

Technology isn’t a bad thing, but it’s important to know that all of this becomes relevant when you file a personal injury lawsuit. If you claim that a car wreck has adversely affected your life, health, and well-being, does your data support this? Are there fewer steps in your activity tracker? Does your phone show you going out less? Does your Netflix account show an increase in usage?

Be aware of the smart devices in your life and what your data says about you. This information can help or hurt your personal injury case.

nina-towle-herring-cory-watson-attorneys

Categories

  • Abilify (2)
  • Asbestos (6)
  • Car Accidents (75)
  • Class Actions (9)
  • Community (29)
  • Cory Watson Attorneys (32)
  • Dangerous Drugs (28)
  • Defective Products (63)
  • Drug Litigation (23)
  • DuPont C8 (7)
  • Environmental (22)
  • Essure Birth Control (5)
  • Firm News (7)
  • Food Poisoning (1)
  • Industry News (13)
  • Legal Guide (9)
  • Legionnaires' Disease (9)
  • Medical Malpractice (1)
  • Mesothelioma (6)
  • Personal Injuries (43)
  • Product Liability (18)
  • Sexual Assault (23)
  • Talcum Powder Cancer (11)

Subscribe to Our Blog

Loading

Contact Our 24/7 Nationwide Lawyers

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
 

Memphis, TN

Cory Watson Attorneys
254 Court Avenue, Suite 511
Memphis TN, 38103, USA

Local (901) 402-2000
Nationwide (877) 562-0000

View Location

Birmingham, AL

Cory Watson Attorneys
2131 Magnolia Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205, USA

Local (205) 328-2200
Nationwide (877) 562-0000

View Location

Nashville, TN

Cory Watson Attorneys
1033 Demonbreun St., Ste. 300
Nashville, TN 37203, USA

Local (615) 205-0000
Nationwide (877) 562-0000

View Location

Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct require the following disclaimer: Case descriptions, recoveries and testimonials presented here are not an indication of future results. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. Litigation outcome and valuation depend on many factors including jurisdiction, venue, witnesses, parties, testimony and documentary evidence. Furthermore, no representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Law Firm Marketing by cj Advertising

Inquire NowRequest Free Consultation
Free Consultation Form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
fbq('track', 'PageView');