In private investigation, a claimant is an individual who has formally asserted a legal or financial claim against another party, typically in civil litigation, insurance disputes, or workers' compensation cases. Investigators are often hired to verify the accuracy of a claimant's reported circumstances, injuries, or activities as part of an independent fact-finding process.
A claimant is simply the person who says they are owed something, whether that is money, benefits, or damages. In an investigation, your hired investigator may be tasked with observing or documenting that person's daily activities to confirm or contradict what they have reported. The goal is to gather factual, documented information that can be used to support or challenge the claim.
An insurance company suspects a claimant is overstating the physical limitations of a reported workplace injury and hires an investigator to conduct surveillance over several days. In a civil lawsuit, a defendant retains a private investigator to document whether a claimant's lifestyle is consistent with the damages being sought. A business involved in a disputed liability claim may also request a background investigation to establish a claimant's prior claim history using publicly available records.
Licensed private investigators can legally conduct surveillance of claimants in public spaces, review publicly accessible records, and compile findings into a written investigation report. Investigators cannot access sealed court records, private financial accounts, or protected law enforcement databases in the course of this work. Applicable laws governing surveillance and permissible investigative methods vary by state, so the scope of any engagement should be reviewed with a licensed investigator in the relevant jurisdiction.
How long does a claimant investigation typically take, and what kind of evidence will I receive at the end?
The duration depends on the complexity of the case and how frequently the claimant is observed in public, but many claimant surveillance assignments run between a few days and several weeks. At the conclusion, you will generally receive a written investigation report summarizing the findings, along with any photographs or video footage collected during surveillance. Your investigator should advise you upfront on realistic timelines based on the specific circumstances of your case.
Can the documentation collected during a claimant investigation be used in court or submitted to an insurance carrier?
Evidence gathered by a licensed private investigator, such as surveillance footage or documented observations, can often be submitted in civil proceedings or to insurance carriers, provided it was collected legally and with proper chain of custody procedures in place. Whether specific evidence will be deemed admissible depends on the rules of the relevant court or the requirements of the carrier involved. An attorney reviewing the case can help determine how the investigative findings should be presented.
