Are you thinking about taking a trip while recovering from a workplace injury? You may wonder, “Are you allowed to travel while on workers’ compensation?” Even a short vacation could raise questions if it interferes with your treatment or vocational rehabilitation (job search) or appears inconsistent with your medical restrictions and inability to work. Before you go anywhere, take time to confirm that your plans fit within your doctor’s recommendations and that you’re safe to travel while on workers’ compensation.
Can You Get Workers’ Comp While on Vacation or Taking Personal Time?
Workers’ compensation benefits cover occupational diseases and injuries that arise from accidents in the course and scope of your employment. If you start receiving workers’ comp benefits, those benefits do not necessarily stop just because you take a vacation or personal time. You should continue receiving benefits as long as your doctor confirms you cannot return to work. However, you must stay in compliance with your treatment plan while you are away from work.
Sometimes workers’ compensation insurance companies hire “vocational counselors” or “vocational consultants” to supervise your efforts to find another job that fits within your doctor’s restrictions. If your travel will interfere with meetings with your vocational counselor, you should communicate with them about how you can comply with their requirements and still make the trip you planned.
For example, if you travel while recovering, you’ll need to communicate with your medical providers and rearrange your appointments. If you just miss appointments, it could raise questions about whether you are really as disabled as you claim to be, which may affect your benefits. If a nurse case manager has been assigned to your claim, you should communicate with them about your travels to make sure you remain in compliance. Insurance companies review claim activity often, and long absences from medical treatment could give them grounds to challenge your claim. Keep your employer and your lawyer informed, too. Honest communication can prevent confusion and show that you remain committed to your recovery.
Will Traveling or Going on Vacation Impact Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Traveling while receiving workers’ compensation could raise concerns from your insurance company and your employer, but the nature of the travel matters. A short trip free of any activities that might go against your medical restrictions shouldn’t pose an issue in most cases. However, problems could arise if your trip involves activities that seem inconsistent with your injury or could interfere with your recovery plan. Insurers and employers may view that kind of travel as a sign that you have already healed or are exaggerating your condition. Even relatively simple travel could raise questions if it appears to conflict with your medical orders or suggests you can return to work.
The reason for your travel can make a big difference. If you are traveling to be with a seriously ill close family member or attend their funeral, the insurance company is more likely to be lenient than if you are traveling simply for pleasure.
For instance, if you go on vacation and share social media posts that show you doing physical activity, those images or posts could prompt your employer or insurer to question your claim. Insurance investigators can legally monitor your online activity or even conduct surveillance. If your actions seem to conflict with your doctor’s orders, the insurer might argue that you can return to work and reduce or stop your benefits. Worse yet, they may accuse you of insurance fraud.
A brief, low-impact vacation that fits your medical restrictions shouldn’t cause problems if you communicate adequately with everyone. However, you should always talk with your treating physician, your lawyer and vocational counselor (if applicable) before traveling. They can review your limitations and help you plan responsibly so you can protect your benefits while you recover.
How to Protect Your Workers’ Comp Eligibility While on Vacation
If you plan to go on vacation while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you should take steps to protect your claim:
- Start by getting written prior approval from your doctor. A medical note confirming that your travel plans will not delay your recovery is a smart way to document your compliance with treatment. Keep a copy of this note in case your insurer demands proof.
- Schedule your medical appointments around your trip to be sure you will not miss any sessions. If you must cancel or reschedule, contact your medical provider as soon as possible. Keep records of all communications and updated appointment times.
- If you have a medical case manager, communicate with them and let them reschedule any medical appointments.
- Always avoid physical activities that go beyond your medical restrictions. Even if you feel better, doing too much too soon could hurt your recovery and raise red flags with the insurance company.
- Be cautious about posting photos or updates online during your trip. Even something that seems harmless to you could be taken out of context and used against your workers’ comp claim.
- If you have a vocational counselor supervising a job search, communicate with them also to make sure you remain in compliance with their plan.
- Keep your lawyer informed about your vacation plans. A workers’ compensation lawyer can review your situation, explain any risks, communicate with insurance adjusters, and help you avoid mistakes that might affect your eligibility.
With careful planning and open communication, you can enjoy time away without putting your benefits at risk.
Call Our North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help with Your Case
Clients trust Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks because we deliver consistent care, clear communication, and real results. Here’s what one client had to say after 17 years of working with our team:
“We are very grateful with this firm. They have been our lawyers for more than 17 years, always excellent service and good communication, in Spanish or English! Younce, Vtipil, attorneys at Law always fighting for the rights of their clients!! For that reason I give them 5 stars if I could I would give them more!!!!” – Javier Pintos
If you were hurt at work, Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks in Raleigh can explain your rights and pursue the benefits you are due. Our firm has more than 100 years of combined experience and has brought numerous workers’ compensation cases before the North Carolina Industrial Commission and the North Carolina Court of Appeals – and won. To date, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in workers’ compensation awards for injured workers like you across North Carolina.
From your first call with us, you’ll get direct attention from a team that keeps you informed every step of the way. Our team offers support in English and Spanish, so you can communicate with us in the language you prefer.
Call us today at (919) 661-9000 or contact us online for your free consultation to learn how our attorneys can help with your workers’ compensation claim.
About the Author
David E. Vtipil
David Vtipil is an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. and concentrates his law practice on personal injury and workers' compensation. David E. Vtipil was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 21st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law.
