With summer just around the corner, school is almost out for several months. For many families, it is the time of year to take a vacation.
But what if you are collecting workers’ compensation benefits? Can you still take a trip with your family?
While going on vacation while on workers’ compensation isn’t against the law, traveling can lead to certain obstacles that can result in losing your benefits.
The following are the most common concerns when planning a vacation while on workers’ comp:
- You could miss your doctor’s appointment – In order to receive workers’ comp benefits, you must keep up with your doctor’s appointments and required medical care, which includes meeting with specialists or therapists. If you end up missing or even rescheduling an appointment, you could lose your benefits. If you wish to take a vacation with your family, ensure you plan your trip around your medical appointments.
- You could violate your doctor’s orders – Vacations are often associated with fun activities, such as hiking, jet skiing, and even ziplining. But since you are recovering from injury, your doctor may recommend you avoid participating in risky activities. If you ignore your doctor’s orders, not only are you violating your doctor’s orders, but you could also reinjure yourself. Going against your doctor’s recommendations can result in losing your benefits.
- You are being watched – To ensure you are following the doctor’s orders, insurers frequently hire private investigators to keep an eye on claimants on vacation. If investigators collect evidence such as photos and videos of you disobeying your doctor’s recommendations, the insurer will terminate your benefits. Additionally, you could end up harming your own case by sharing photos or videos of you participating in restricted activities on social media. Investigators will also monitor your social media accounts.
If you have suffered a workplace injury in Pocatello, ID, contact our legal team at May, Rammell & Wells today.