Can I Sue Meta for Social Media Harm?
If you or your child experienced serious harm that you believe was connected to Facebook or Instagram, you may be wondering whether you can sue Meta.
Recent New Mexico litigation against Meta has raised an important question for families: Does the litigation mean an individual family can sue Meta?
Not automatically. But depending on what happened, the harm involved, the available evidence, and applicable law, an individual claim may warrant evaluation.
Who May Want to Have Their Situation Evaluated?
A legal evaluation may be appropriate when a person or family believes that serious harm was connected to use of Facebook or Instagram.
Examples may include:
Dominguez Law Firm
Situation Evaluation Checklist
- A child or teenager experienced serious harm associated with the platform.
- A child was allegedly groomed or sexually exploited through the platform.
- A child experienced sextortion or other serious online exploitation.
- A person experienced significant mental-health consequences that the family believes were connected to platform use.
- There is evidence documenting what happened and the resulting harm.
- The family has questions about whether the platform may have played a role in the harm.
For discussion purposes only. Checking a box does not establish a legal claim.
These circumstances do not automatically establish a legal claim. They are reasons to consider speaking with an attorney.
What Will an Attorney Need to Know?
Every potential case is different. An attorney may want to understand:
- What happened?
- Which platform was involved?
- When did it happen?
- How old was the person at the time?
- How long did the conduct or platform use continue?
- Was the platform notified or did anyone report the conduct?
- What evidence exists?
- What physical, psychological, financial, or other consequences resulted?
- What treatment or other services were needed?
- When was the harm discovered?
What Evidence Should I Preserve?
If you believe you may have a potential claim, preserve relevant information.
Don’t delete potentially relevant evidence before discussing preservation with an attorney.
What Could Make a Meta Case More Complicated?
Social-media cases can involve complex legal issues, including:
- Causation
- Evidence
- Applicable statutes of limitation
- Section 230 and other legal defenses
- The specific conduct alleged
- The relationship between the platform and the claimed injury
These issues are fact-specific. A news report about Meta litigation does not determine whether a particular individual has a claim.
What Does the New Mexico Meta Litigation Mean for Individual Families?
New Mexico’s litigation against Meta is important, but it is different from an individual family bringing its own claim.
The government’s case, its rulings, and any penalties or remedies do not automatically establish that every person who experienced harm on Facebook or Instagram can recover damages.
An individual case must be evaluated based on the person’s circumstances and the law that applies to that situation.
What Should I Do If I Think I May Have a Claim?
- 1Preserve relevant evidence.
- 2Write down a timeline of what happened.
- 3Gather relevant medical, counseling, school, or other records.
- 4Do not assume that you do or do not have a case based only on news reports.
- 5Speak with an attorney about your specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed By
Paul M. Dominguez, Esq.
Paul M. Dominguez is the Managing Partner of the Dominguez Law Firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a fifth-generation New Mexican trial attorney who represents families and survivors against corporate wrongdoers. Learn more about his background and experience on our attorney profile.
Think Your Family May Have a Claim?
If you believe Facebook or Instagram played a significant role in serious harm to you or your child, the Dominguez Law Firm can evaluate the circumstances and determine whether further investigation may be appropriate. Consultations are free and confidential, and there is no obligation.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. The existence or outcome of any particular claim depends on the facts and applicable law. Past verdicts, settlements, or rulings do not guarantee future results. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, please contact the Dominguez Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation.