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Every hard-working person in our country deserves a vacation from time to time. Taking a long trip with the family can be both fun and relaxing.
But can employees currently receiving workers’ compensation benefits also take a vacation? The answer is yes.
People can enjoy whatever life has to offer—even when they are hurt. However, there are several things you need to consider when planning for a vacation, especially if there is a chance you may risk losing your injury coverage.
Follow the Doctor’s Orders
In order to make a full recovery from injury, your doctor will recommend you avoid certain activity not only to ensure proper healing, but also to risk re-injury. However, you may be tempted to indulge in risky activity while on vacation, whether it’s jet skiing or ziplining. If you go against the doctor’s orders, you risk losing your workers’ comp benefits.
Keep in mind, it is possible to re-injure yourself during travel. For instance, if you plan on flying, carrying heavy luggage or sitting down in an uncomfortable position for a long stretch of time can cause physical exertion, which increases your risk of injury.
Careful planning and avoiding strenuous activity are keys toward staying within the restrictions.
Don’t Miss or Reschedule a Medical Appointment
In order to continue receiving workers’ compensation, it is mandatory to attend all appointments with doctors, physical therapists, and other medical professionals. If you take a long trip and miss an appointment or reschedule your appointment date, you may lose your benefits by doing so.
The insurer may view missing or rescheduling an appointment as failure to comply with medical treatment. When your benefits are taken away, it is difficult to get them back.
Make sure you plan accordingly to avoid missing a medical appointment.
They Will Be Watching
It is not uncommon for workers’ comp insurance companies to hire investigators to spy on claimants, especially if they go on vacation. Investigators will look for any evidence that your injury does not exist or it is not as serious as you claim and provide their findings to the insurer.
So just because you are far away from home doesn’t mean that you are free to do whatever you like. Remember, you are always being watched.
Limit Social Media Activity
Even if an investigator isn’t following you, it is possible to jeopardize your claim on your own. Since social media is such a huge part of your everyday lives in recent years, many people share their vacation pictures with friends, family, and the entire world.
If you share pictures or videos on social media of participating in activities that you shouldn’t be doing, it is possible that your insurer will see the footage and use it as evidence against you to deny your claim. While your privacy settings may be strong, perhaps your friends ‘and family members’ settings are not as secure.
Be careful of what you share on social media and tell the other people on your trip to request your consent before posting anything.
For more information about workers’ compensation in Nassau County, NY, contact our experienced legal team at Foley Griffin and schedule a free consultation today.