Occasionally, every worker needs a vacation to enjoy some necessary R&R to recharge before returning to the daily grind. This also applies to workers who have suffered job-related injuries. Despite being hurt and recovering, those receiving workers’ compensation benefits are still allowed to take fun trips with loved ones.
However, there are certain precautions you must take and things to consider before embarking on your vacation, which include the following:
- You must keep your doctor’s appointments – In order to receive benefits, you must see a doctor, physical therapist, or any other health care provider on a consistent basis. If you miss a doctor’s appointment while you are on your trip, or attempt to reschedule your appointment date, you may lose your benefits as a result. Your insurer could view these types of actions as a failure to comply with medical treatment. However, if you are taking a short trip which doesn’t conflict with any of your appointment dates, you should be fine.
- Understand you are being monitored – Insurance companies often hire investigators for surveillance purposes, ensuring you are following the doctor’s orders. Sometimes, temptation gets the best of injured workers. If an insurance company is informed of your suspicious activity, you will most certainly lose your benefits or even be charged with workers’ compensation fraud. Keep in mind, investigators will also be scouring your social media accounts since many people like to share pictures and videos of their trips. If you plan on posting your activities on social media, make sure you don’t share anything which appears as though you are participating in any sort of restricted activity.
- You need to continue to look for work – Some injuries are so serious that the employee is unable to return to their normal job duties. While receiving workers’ comp benefits, these workers may be required to look for a few jobs a week. If an employee goes on vacation and forgets to perform a job search, he/she may lose the right to claim temporary total disability benefits for that specific week.
Prior to taking your vacation, it is wise to talk to your lawyer to determine if you could risk losing your benefits. If you are in the clear, you can enjoy your vacation without having any concerns.
For more information about workers’ compensation in Texas, contact our Fort Worth workers’ compensation lawyer at the Law Office of James M. Stanley today.