Key Takeaways: Injury & Disability Claim Investigations
- We document a claimant’s observable physical capabilities for comparison against their reported limitations. Our role is to gather facts, not to assume outcomes
- Every investigation begins with a reasonable suspicion assessment during intake. For covert surveillance, this means confirming that the threshold for deployment is met before any work begins, while preliminary OSINT reviews can serve as an earlier, less intrusive step to help establish that threshold.
- Investigations are conducted in compliance with BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the Workers Compensation Act prohibited action framework
- All digital evidence is verified through SHA-256 cryptographic hashing, providing proof that files have not been altered or synthetically generated
- Evidence is documented to WorkSafeBC, WCAT, and litigation standards, serving insurers, employers, defense lawyers, and self-insured organizations across British Columbia
- Free consultation: 604-657-4499 or submit the contact form below
Last Updated: March 28, 2026
Injury Claim Investigations in British Columbia
Insurance crime costs the Canadian economy an estimated $3 billion to $5 billion annually. In 2024, Canadian life and health insurers paid out $10 billion in disability benefits supporting over 12 million Canadians. Fraudulent or exaggerated claims within that system drive up premiums for every employer and threaten the sustainability of workplace benefit programs.
This issue has become more pressing for BC employers specifically. In January 2026, WorkSafeBC announced the disbanding of its Field Investigations Division (FID), the 20-person unit that investigated workers’ compensation fraud. Effective April 30, 2026, British Columbia will be the only province in Canada without a dedicated government unit investigating WCB fraud. Employers who suspect a claim is exaggerated or fraudulent now bear a greater responsibility for initiating their own investigations, and for doing so correctly, within the legal framework that protects both the employer and the worker.
If you are an employer who has noticed something that does not seem right about a worker’s injury claim but are not sure whether it warrants a formal investigation, that is exactly where most of our employer conversations start. Not every inquiry leads to an investigation, and not every investigation confirms wrongdoing.
Our consultation process is designed to help you determine whether your concerns have a defensible basis, whether a preliminary step like an OSINT review might clarify the situation first, or whether the evidence you have does not yet support moving forward. We would rather tell you that you are not ready to investigate than take on a file that creates more risk than it resolves.
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How We Work: Our Approach to Injury Claim Investigations
Shadow Investigations has conducted injury and disability claim investigations across British Columbia since 1990. We serve insurance companies, employers, defense lawyers, WorkSafeBC claims, and self-insured organizations. We are BBB A+ accredited since 1999, a recipient of the 2025 Consumer Choice Award, and fully licensed under BC’s Security Services Act.
Our approach to injury claim investigations is built around compliance, objectivity, and evidence integrity. Here is what that looks like in practice:
Reasonable Suspicion Assessment at Intake
Every file begins with a consultation where we discuss the basis for the client’s concerns and the evidence they have documented. Whether those concerns meet the reasonable suspicion threshold for covert surveillance is a legal determination that should be assessed by the client’s independent legal counsel, not by the investigation firm.
Reasonable suspicion requires specific, objective, documentable evidence, not the cost of the claim, personal feelings about the worker, or a general sense that something seems off. In many cases, an employer’s initial call is simply a conversation about whether their concerns are actionable, and there is no cost or obligation for that assessment.
If a client has not yet consulted legal counsel, we can discuss the general framework during intake and advise on preliminary steps such as a professional OSINT review that may help clarify whether more formal investigation is warranted. For more on what constitutes reasonable suspicion, see our knowledge page on reasonable suspicion before hiring a private investigator.
We recommend that employers who have not yet consulted legal counsel contact the Employers’ Advisers Office (EAO) at 1-800-925-2233, a free provincial government service that advises employers on WorkSafeBC matters.
PIPA-Compliant Investigation Protocols
All investigations are conducted within the framework established by BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). PIPA Section 12(1)(c) permits private investigators to collect personal information without the subject’s consent when collection with consent would compromise the investigation and the collection is reasonable for an investigation or proceeding. We consider the multi-factor reasonableness test established in OIPC decisions to ensure every method used is proportionate to the concern. For a detailed breakdown, see our knowledge page on PIPA and employer surveillance in BC.
Objective, Balanced Reporting
Our investigators document what they observe, including observations that are consistent with the claimant’s reported limitations. The purpose of an investigation is not to build a case against the claimant. It is to provide a factual record that the insurer, employer, defense counsel, or medical professional can use to make an informed decision. An investigation that only reports what the client wants to hear is not an investigation worth paying for.
SHA-256 Evidence Integrity
All digital evidence is processed through SHA-256 cryptographic hashing by the investigator who captured the footage. This generates a unique digital fingerprint for each file. If a file is altered by even a single pixel, the fingerprint completely changes. This protocol verifies that the evidence delivered is the same evidence that was captured, an increasingly important safeguard as AI-generated media makes evidence authenticity a growing concern. For more on how this works, see our knowledge page on SHA-256 hashing and digital chain of custody.
Post-Investigation Guidance
The investigation does not end with the delivery of the report. How the results are used is just as important as the quality of the evidence, and missteps after the investigation can be as costly as missteps during one.
For employers dealing with WCB claims, we recommend reviewing our knowledge page on what employers should do after receiving investigation results, which covers the recommended pathway for submitting evidence to WorkSafeBC through proper channels, the importance of retaining independent legal counsel before taking any employment action, and how to protect your position throughout the process. We are available to walk clients through the recommended next steps and answer questions about how the evidence can be used.
What Evidence Do Injury Claim Investigations Produce?
Our investigations produce documented evidence of a claimant’s observable physical capabilities, daily activities, and conduct for comparison against their reported limitations. The type of evidence gathered depends on the circumstances and the methods used.
Surveillance Video & Photographs
Time-stamped video and photographs documenting the claimant’s physical activities, movements, and duration of activity, such as walking, lifting, bending, carrying, exercising, working, or participating in recreational activities. Every video file is SHA-256 hashed at the point of capture to verify authenticity and chain of custody.
Activity & Lifestyle Reports
Detailed chronological observation reports documenting the claimant’s routines, movements, employment activities, and social interactions over the investigation period. Reports include observations both consistent and inconsistent with the claimant’s reported limitations, providing a complete and objective record for the decision-maker.
OSINT & Social Media Documentation
Preserved screenshots and records of publicly available social media posts, check-ins, marketplace listings, and online activity relevant to the claim. This evidence is captured and archived before it can be deleted or hidden, and is limited to publicly accessible content without accessing private accounts or bypassing privacy settings.
Background & Financial Research
Findings from database research that may reveal undisclosed employment, business registrations, hidden income sources, or assets inconsistent with the claimant’s reported situation. Background research can also establish alternative addresses, vehicle ownership, and associations relevant to the file.
All evidence is compiled into a professional report suitable for use in insurance dispute proceedings, civil litigation, WorkSafeBC review and WCAT appeal hearings, and internal employer processes.
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What Methods Are Used in Injury Claim Investigations?
Surveillance
Surveillance is the primary method in most injury claim investigations. It allows the investigator to observe and document the claimant’s physical capabilities, movements, and daily activity in real-world settings. The goal is to create a factual record of what the claimant can and does do, not to reach conclusions about whether their claim is valid. That determination belongs to the insurer, employer, legal counsel, or medical professional reviewing the evidence.
OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)
OSINT leverages publicly available information to identify discrepancies between a claimant’s reported limitations and their online activity. Social media posts, marketplace listings, event participation, and other digital footprint indicators can provide evidence relevant to the claim, and in some cases, OSINT findings alone can establish reasonable suspicion for further investigation or provide sufficient documentation on their own.
Additional Methods
Depending on the file, injury claim investigations may also involve background checks to identify undisclosed employment, business registrations, or alternative addresses; witness statement interviews with individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the incident or the claimant’s activities; and in rare, last-resort situations, undercover or pretext inquiries when passive surveillance cannot capture the needed evidence. The appropriate method or combination of methods is determined during the intake process based on the specific concerns and circumstances of the file.
What Does an Injury Claim Investigation Cost?
For most injury claim files, a standard surveillance assignment of one to three consecutive days falls between $1,000 and $3,000. Surveillance is billed at $75 per hour plus $0.79 per kilometre, which works out to approximately $500 for a half-day or $1,000 for a full day after tax. Supporting methods such as background checks (starting at $50), OSINT ($125/hour), witness interviews ($200 video / $500 in-person), and undercover operations ($75/hour plus mileage) are billed at their respective rates when needed.
A focused, single-concern file may cost $500–$800. More complex files involving multiple surveillance periods, OSINT, background research, and other methods typically range from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on scope. For a detailed breakdown of what affects cost, see our knowledge page on Injury Claim Investigation Costs in BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, provided you have reasonable suspicion based on specific, objective evidence, not just the cost of the claim or a feeling that something is off. Under BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), Section 12(1)(c), a private investigation firm may collect personal information without the subject’s consent when collection with consent would compromise the investigation and the collection is reasonable for an investigation or proceeding. However, the investigation must be proportionate to the concern, and employers must be aware of the prohibited action framework under the Workers Compensation Act before taking any steps that could be perceived as retaliatory.
WorkSafeBC’s Field Investigations Division (FID), the 20-person unit responsible for investigating workers’ compensation fraud, is being shut down effective April 30, 2026. The fraud tip line still exists but is no longer staffed by dedicated investigators. BC is now the only province in Canada without a government unit investigating WCB fraud. Employers who suspect fraudulent or exaggerated claims now need to consider engaging a licensed private investigator directly. For a full analysis of the implications, see our knowledge page on the WorkSafeBC FID disbanding.
No. Surveillance documents observable activity. Whether that activity constitutes fraud, exaggeration, or a discrepancy with the reported limitations is a determination made by the insurer, employer, defense counsel, or medical professional reviewing the evidence, not by the investigator. Our role is to provide a complete, factual record that supports informed decision-making.
For WCB claims, the recommended pathway is to submit the evidence to WorkSafeBC as new information relevant to the claim before taking any employment action. This creates a documented record showing you acted through proper channels rather than retaliating against the worker. Retain independent legal counsel before any termination, discipline, or other employment action based on investigation results. For a detailed walkthrough, see our knowledge page on what employers should do after receiving investigation results.
All digital evidence is processed through SHA-256 cryptographic hashing by the investigator who captured the footage. This generates a unique 64-character digital fingerprint for each file. If the file is changed by even a single bit, the fingerprint changes completely. A CSV hash manifest and a signed Chain of Custody Declaration are provided with every folder of video evidence, and anyone can independently verify the evidence using free built-in tools on any Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. For full details, see our knowledge page on SHA-256 hashing and digital chain of custody.
Common indicators include a credible witness report of physical activity contradicting the worker’s reported restrictions, social media posts showing capability inconsistent with the claim, suspicious timing around layoffs or performance management, a pattern of claims from the same worker or work crew, or the worker being observed at a job site or operating a business while receiving benefits. These indicators do not confirm fraud on their own, but they may establish reasonable suspicion warranting a professional investigation. For a full list, see our knowledge page on red flags that may indicate a fraudulent WCB claim.
Knowledge Hub: Injury Claim Investigations
For employers, insurers, and legal professionals who want to understand the legal, procedural, and evidentiary framework in more depth, we maintain a comprehensive knowledge hub covering every aspect of injury claim investigations in BC:
- Injury Claim Investigations in BC — Main Guide
- The WorkSafeBC FID Disbanding: What It Means for BC Employers in 2026
- What Is Reasonable Suspicion and Do I Need It Before Hiring a PI?
- PIPA and Employer Surveillance in WCB Investigations
- Prohibited Action Complaints: What BC Employers Need to Know
- Red Flags That May Indicate a Fraudulent WCB Claim
- SHA-256 Hashing and Digital Chain of Custody for Investigation Evidence
- Undercover and Pretext Investigations for WCB Claims in BC
- The WCAT Appeal Process for Prohibited Action Complaints
- What Employers Should Do After Receiving Investigation Results
Have Concerns About an Injury or Disability Claim?
Whether you have documented evidence of specific inconsistencies or are simply noticing patterns that concern you and want to understand your options, we can help you assess the situation and determine the appropriate next step. Our consultation is free and confidential. During this initial conversation, we will review the basis for your concerns, advise on whether the reasonable suspicion threshold appears to be met, and recommend the most appropriate investigative methods for your situation. Call 604-657-4499 or submit the form below to get started.