Strategic Investigative Services for Fortune 100 Client

A Challenging Case of an Injured Shopper

Our latest client, a Fortune 100 company, agreed to give us a shot to save mounting investigative and litigation expenses across the board. They had an interesting test case: a young woman in her mid-twenties who had injured her foot while shopping, an exposed pallet nail driving through her foot. An innocuous misstep, but one that had serious consequences. The medical bills were piling up, and litigation loomed like a storm cloud. Most firms would’ve set up routine surveillance—three days of watching, documenting, and ticking boxes. But not us. We believed in thoroughness, in understanding the nuances of each case. So, we delved into the details.

Delving into Digital Clues

Our subject, the injured woman, had left digital breadcrumbs on social media. Amidst the mundane posts and filtered selfies, we discovered something intriguing: she was a beauty pageant participant. The scent of opportunity hung in the air. We embarked on an in-depth social media review, hoping to catch her in action. Alas, the pageant season wasn’t upon us, leaving us with no live events to observe. Undeterred, we tracked down the specific pageant she had participated in and scoured the internet for any additional evidence. Alas, our digital sleuthing yielded nothing more.

The Power of Human Investigative Services

Enter the SIU (Special Investigations Unit), a team of seasoned investigators—mostly talented women—who specialize in human inquiries. Their mission: to extract information through conversation, intuition, and a well-placed phone call. Armed with determination, they dialed the agency that had hosted the pageant. A simple request: “May we purchase a copy of the video?” Not long after, the video arrived at our office. We huddled around the screen, watching as the plaintiff glided across the stage in high heels during the pageant. Not earth-shattering, but it was the talent portion that stole the show—an unexpected revelation. There she was, our gal, Irish step-dancing with fervor, defying pain and gravity. No physical surveillance was needed; a human voice had unlocked the truth.

New Allegations and Continued Investigation

The plaintiff’s attorney faced the video, with a mix of awe and concern. Yes, she had danced, feeling okay at the time. But now, more serious CRPS allegations loomed—Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, a shadow creeping over her life and her claim. The case returned to our hands, mediation looming like a ticking clock. And then, serendipity struck. We learned through social media that the plaintiff had been married since our last encounter. Bingo! Back to the SIU department—quickly discovering the videographer who had captured her wedding day. Again, obtaining a copy with limited investigative time spent, just the human element—a phone call.

Unveiling the Truth Through Strategic Surveillance

The footage was obtained and reviewed but mostly showed your typical wedding ceremony and not much out of the ordinary… until the reception footage revealed a surprising twist. Barefoot, she leaped and twirled, dancing with abandon. No guarded motions, no outward signs of pain or apparent discomfort. The truth danced with her, and we watched, knowing that sometimes, the best investigative services often require no stakeouts—just experience, knowing where to look, and the forgotten human element.

The Value of the Human Element in Investigative Services

Not everything can be found online! The success of our investigative services lies in our thorough approach, blending digital sleuthing with human intuition and experience. This case exemplifies how detailed, human-centric investigative services can uncover the truth and lead to significant savings in litigation expenses.

Need expert investigative services for your case?

Contact Claims Bureau today to learn how our specialized team can help you uncover the truth and save on litigation costs.