What Happens to Your Workers’ Comp Benefits If You Travel for the Holidays?

Are you planning to go on vacation this holiday season? If so, you’re probably wondering if this short getaway could affect your workers’ comp benefits. In most cases, you can travel as long as you follow specific rules and keep the insurance company updated. Learn more about what you need to do to stay compliant and avoid any issues.

Are You Allowed to Travel While on Workers’ Comp?

Yes, you can travel for the holidays in most cases. However, there are certain conditions and steps you’ll need to follow before you get the green light. Stay safe by talking to your doctor. They give you clear instructions on the activities you can do while you’re away and help you stay on track with your treatment plan.

Additionally, avoid risking your claim by keeping your employer and their insurer aware that you’re going on vacation. “Unauthorized” travel may lead to some issues, especially if you miss doctor’s appointments or do things that worsen your medical condition. Being open about your plans protects your benefits.

What To Do Before Traveling for the Holidays

If you have a trip coming up for the holidays, here’s what you need to do before you leave:

Get Written Approval From Your Doctor

Before packing your bags, talk to your medical professional about any upcoming plans. They’ll let you know whether traveling is safe with your injuries and how to stay safe while traveling. Ask for an approval form and written directions that outline which movements or activities you can do.

Notify Your Employer and Insurance Carrier

Your employer and their insurance company expect you to recover as quickly as possible and eventually return to work. This is why you should let them know about your trip’s details right away. It shows you’re not hiding anything from them and reduces the chances of delays, disputes, or paused benefits.

Reschedule Appointments Before You Leave

The last thing you want is to miss your required appointments. Not showing up is one of the main reasons benefits get paused, so don’t forget to reschedule them in advance if you know you’ll be away. Also, try to keep documentation of the new dates to show the insurance company if they ask.

What Happens If You Reinjure Yourself While Traveling?

While the majority of trips happen without any issues, accidents can happen and complicate your workers’ comp case. This is especially true if the insurer suspects you weren’t following the doctor’s instructions.

In most cases, an insurance company could investigate what happened to confirm if the injury is part of your initial condition or something different. If they think you did something to worsen your injury that you weren’t allowed to do, this may be enough to cut off additional benefits.

Protect yourself by showing clear evidence your new injuries weren’t intentional. Also, you’ll need to report the incident to your doctor immediately and follow their instructions as soon as you’re back. Keeping everything documented and being consistent makes it much harder for the insurer to flag your claim.

Our Lawyers Are Here To Help

Don’t let your benefits get in the way of traveling this holiday season. As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions, don’t skip appointments, and communicate with your employer, you won’t have any issues while you’re away.

However, mistakes or accidents can put your case in jeopardy. If you’re in this situation, getting legal help might be the best option. Our New York workers’ compensation lawyers will review your case and make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of your situation. Please contact us online at 855-280-7585 to schedule a free consultation today.