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You were injured on the job and now you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits as you take time to recover before resuming your job duties. Thus far, this all seems rather straightforward, but what if you decide that you would like to take time to go on vacation? Many injured workers are often concerned about the effect going on a vacation can potentially have on their ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits and it is certainly a valid fear, given the great lengths insurance companies go to argue that such claims are invalid.
Part of the recovery process involves regularly seeing a doctor or receiving continued treatment of some sort from a physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, or another medical specialist. It is imperative that you attend every medical appointment. If you end up missing an appointment or having to reschedule it, it might be perceived as a failure to comply with medical treatment by your case manager. Unfortunately, if you end up going on a long vacation, you will likely end up missing one or more appointments, which could lead to the loss of your workers’ compensation benefits. No vacation is worth that gamble.
If the trip you are planning is short and will not interfere with your doctor appointments, it is possible that you will be fine, but there are still some pitfalls to look out for.
It is also important for you to be aware of the fact that you are likely going to be watched by an investigator hired by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. Their job is to be on the lookout for anything you do that could damage your claim and result in the loss of your benefits. If you engage in any activities that go against your doctor’s restrictions or are inconsistent with the limitations of your injury, this will irreparably harm your ability to continue to receive these benefits.
While on vacation, however, you might be tempted to do things that go against your medical restrictions. It can be hard to deal with feeling left out, especially on a trip with your family or close friends, but too much is at stake, so if you do not think you can hold back from participating, it might be wise to hold off on a vacation altogether until you are fully recovered. Even if an investigator is not watching your every move, chances are pictures will be taken of your trip and these can inevitably find their way onto social media, where an investigator can easily snoop around for evidence.
Ultimately, while no one is preventing you from going on a vacation, it is always best to err on the side of caution to avoid losing your workers’ compensation benefits. It can be hard to put life on hold while you are recovering from an injury, but it can be even worse if you are enduring it without these important benefits.
If you were injured while at your place of work and you are now pursuing workers’ compensation benefits, you need to seek the skilled legal assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney to ensure you receive these crucial benefits. It is not uncommon for employers and the insurance companies that represent them to push back and avoid having to provide injured workers with the benefits to which they are entitled, which is why hiring an attorney is critical. At Metzger Wickersham, our workers’ compensation attorneys will fight on your behalf to ensure your claim is taken care of, so you are able to focus your attention on recovering.
Get started on your case today and contact us at (888) 286-2850 to request your free initial case evaluation with one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys.
