Workers’ Comp Private Investigator in Wilmington, DE

Key Takeaways

• A workers’ comp private investigator gathers legally admissible evidence, surveillance video, activity checks, social media research, and background verification, to confirm or dispute the validity of a workers’ compensation claim in Wilmington, DE and across New Castle County.
• Adjusters and defense attorneys typically request an investigation when a claim shows inconsistent injury reports, a long disability period, an upcoming hearing or IME, or a suspected undisclosed job.
• Investigations combine physical surveillance (video and photo), open-source social media checks, employment and licensing verification, and recorded statements, all conducted within Delaware public-records and privacy law.
• Standard turnaround for a Wilmington-area surveillance assignment is 3 to 5 business days per round, with rush and same-day mobilization available.
• Pricing is generally quoted hourly per investigator plus mileage and report preparation, with most adjusters budgeting a set number of hours per surveillance round rather than a flat project fee. Contact On Time Investigations for a current rate sheet and case-specific quote.
• On Time Investigations is a licensed Delaware private investigation firm serving Wilmington, Newark, Dover, and the broader New Castle County claims and defense community.

Workers’ Comp Private Investigator Services in Wilmington, DE

If you’re an insurance adjuster, defense attorney, third-party administrator, or self-insured employer handling a Delaware workers’ compensation claim, you already know that not every claim tells the full story. On Time Investigations provides licensed workers’ compensation investigation services in Wilmington, DE, built specifically for the people who need to test a claim before it goes to hearing, not for the claimant trying to figure out if they’re being watched.

We work directly with claims professionals across New Castle County and the wider Delaware Valley, delivering surveillance, activity checks, background investigations, and recorded statements that hold up in front of the Delaware Industrial Accident Board.

What Does a Workers’ Comp Private Investigator Do?

A workers’ comp private investigator is a licensed professional retained by an insurance carrier, TPA, employer, or defense counsel to independently verify facts related to an active workers’ compensation claim. The core job is simple: document what a claimant is actually capable of doing, and compare that against what the claim file, medical restrictions, and testimony say they can do.

That work falls into four categories:

1. Surveillance – observing and recording a claimant’s physical activity in public.
2. Activity checks – confirming daily routines, work status, and physical capability over time.
3. Background and employment verification – checking for undisclosed work, prior claims, or licensing.
4. Statement and interview support – gathering witness or neighbor statements when relevant to causation or credibility.

When Should an Adjuster or Attorney Request an Investigation?

Not every file needs a private investigator. In our experience handling claims across Wilmington and New Castle County, investigation requests tend to cluster around a few specific triggers:

• Inconsistent reporting. The claimant’s stated limitations don’t match the mechanism of injury, the treating physician’s notes, or prior statements.
• Extended or open-ended disability. The claim has moved past the expected healing window for the diagnosed injury without measurable progress.
• Upcoming IME, deposition, or hearing. Counsel wants current, dated evidence before a scheduled medical exam or Industrial Accident Board hearing.
• Suspected undisclosed employment. Tips, social media activity, or informant reports suggest the claimant may be working another job while collecting benefits.
• High reserve or litigated claims. Larger exposure claims justify the cost of proactive documentation before settlement negotiations begin.
• Social media red flags. Public posts, tags, or check-ins appear to contradict reported restrictions.

If any of these apply to a file on your desk in Wilmington, an early investigation is usually cheaper than a late one. Evidence gathered closer to the date of injury carries more weight than evidence gathered after months of unexplained delay.

Our Investigation Methods and Mediums

We use a layered approach rather than relying on a single method, since Delaware Industrial Accident Board referees give more weight to evidence that’s corroborated across multiple sources.

Physical Surveillance

Licensed investigators conduct in-person, vehicle-based, and stationary surveillance from public property, documenting the claimant’s movement, physical exertion, and daily activity on HD video and still photography. All footage is timestamped, logged, and delivered with a detailed field report describing exactly what was observed and when.

Activity and Compliance Checks

For claims involving lighter, intermittent activity, we run periodic activity checks over several days or weeks rather than a single continuous surveillance window. This method is useful for claimants who limit their public exposure but still need to be evaluated over time for consistency with claimed restrictions.

Open-Source Social Media Investigation (OSINT)

We review publicly available social media activity, including tagged photos, check-ins, and posts, using lawful open-source methods only. We do not attempt to access private accounts or use pretexting to gain friend or follower status, since evidence obtained that way is routinely challenged and can backfire on a case.

Employment and Background Verification

We verify current employment status, licensing records, business ownership filings, and prior claims history through public records and lawful database searches, which is often how undisclosed side work gets confirmed.

Recorded and Witness Statements

When a case calls for it, we obtain recorded statements from the claimant, witnesses, neighbors, or co-workers, coordinated with defense counsel to preserve admissibility.

AOE/COE Investigations

For disputed arising-out-of-employment/course-of-employment (AOE/COE) questions, we conduct scene visits, witness canvassing, and incident reconstruction support to help establish whether an injury actually occurred the way it was reported.

How the Process Works

1. Case intake. You send us the claim summary, claimant identifiers, known address, work restrictions, and the specific question you need answered.
2. Investigation plan. We propose a surveillance or activity-check schedule based on the claimant’s routine, the hours where activity is most likely, and any known upcoming appointments.
3. Field work. Licensed investigators conduct the assignment, documenting everything on video, photo, and written log.
4. Reporting. You receive a written investigative report with a timeline, summary of findings, and supporting video/photo files, formatted for use in claim files, IME packets, or hearing exhibits.
5. Follow-up rounds. Many claims need two or three shorter surveillance windows rather than one long one, since claimant routines shift once they suspect they’re being observed.

Is Workers’ Comp Surveillance Legal in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware law permits observation and recording of a person in public places or anywhere they don’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy. On Time Investigations operates strictly within those boundaries:

• Surveillance is conducted from public property or property we’re authorized to access.
• We do not trespass onto private property or record inside a claimant’s home.
• We do not access private social media accounts or use deceptive pretexting.
• Recorded statements follow Delaware’s one-party consent rule and are disclosed appropriately per your counsel’s instructions.

Evidence gathered outside these boundaries is frequently excluded by the Industrial Accident Board, so cutting corners on method actually weakens a case rather than strengthening it. Every investigator we assign is licensed to operate in Delaware.

Cost of a Workers’ Comp Private Investigator in Wilmington, DE

Pricing in the industry is almost always structured hourly per investigator, with mileage and report preparation billed separately, rather than as a flat fee. Nationally, licensed surveillance investigators typically bill in the range of $65 to $150 per hour depending on the firm, case complexity, and whether the assignment requires overnight or multi-day coverage. Most adjusters authorize a set block of hours per round (commonly 4 to 8 hours) rather than committing to unlimited surveillance up front.

Factors that affect your final cost:

• Number of investigators required (single-investigator vs. team coverage for a wide area or unpredictable schedule)
• Length and number of surveillance rounds
• Travel distance within or outside New Castle County
• Rush or same-day mobilization
• Report complexity, video editing, and exhibit preparation for hearing

For a current rate sheet and a quote scoped to your specific claim, contact On Time Investigations directly. We’ll ask a few questions about the claimant’s location, schedule, and the specific issue you’re trying to document, then give you a straightforward estimate before any hours are billed.

Areas We Serve

On Time Investigations handles workers’ compensation surveillance and investigation assignments throughout Wilmington, DE, and greater New Castle County, including Newark, Bear, Middletown, New Castle, Elsmere, and Claymont, with statewide coverage available across Delaware from Dover to the Sussex County line.

Why Adjusters and Defense Attorneys Work With Us

• Delaware-licensed investigators familiar with Industrial Accident Board evidentiary standards.
• Fast mobilization for time-sensitive assignments ahead of an IME or hearing date.
• Clear, court-ready reporting built for use in claim files and legal proceedings, not just internal notes.
• Direct communication with the adjuster or attorney handling the file throughout the assignment, not a call center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a workers’ comp private investigator look for?

A workers’ comp private investigator looks for a mismatch between a claimant’s reported physical restrictions and their observed real-world activity, undisclosed employment, and social media evidence that contradicts the medical record. The goal is documentation, not assumption.

How long does a workers’ comp surveillance investigation take in Wilmington, DE?

A typical surveillance round takes 3 to 5 business days to schedule and complete, with the field report delivered shortly after. Complex or intermittent cases may require two to three rounds spread over several weeks to build a consistent picture.

Can a workers’ comp investigator follow a claimant inside their home?

No. Investigators can only observe and record in public spaces or places without a reasonable expectation of privacy. They cannot enter a claimant’s home, yard, or other private property without permission.

Is video from a workers’ comp investigator admissible before the Delaware Industrial Accident Board?

Yes, when it’s gathered legally from public vantage points and properly documented with timestamps and a field log. Evidence obtained through trespassing, pretexting, or unauthorized account access is routinely challenged and can be excluded.

How much does a workers’ comp private investigator cost in Delaware?

Costs are typically billed hourly per investigator, commonly in the $65 to $150 per hour range nationally, plus mileage and report preparation. Contact On Time Investigations for a Wilmington-specific quote based on your claim’s scope.

Who hires workers’ comp private investigators?

Insurance adjusters, third-party administrators, defense attorneys, and self-insured employers hire workers’ comp private investigators to independently verify claim details before hearings, settlement negotiations, or IMEs.

If you’re handling a workers’ compensation claim in Wilmington, DE that needs an independent set of eyes, contact On Time Investigations to discuss the case and get a scoped quote before any hours are billed.