As the COVID-19 travel restrictions lighten, you may feel overdue for a vacation. However, if you’re currently receiving workers’ compensation benefits, going for a trip while injured might weaken your case. Here are a few factors to be aware of before making plans.

What Should You Consider Before Going on Vacation?

If you’re waiting for approval on a workers’ compensation case, going on vacation might increase the chances of a denial. It may suggest that since your injury isn’t severe enough to stop you from traveling, it shouldn’t be severe enough to get in the way of work. If the trip will interfere with planned doctor’s appointments, treatments, or surgeries, this will send the message that your medical care isn’t urgent. 

However, if the case has been settled and you’re already receiving benefits, talk to your doctor or specialist and ask them for a professional opinion. If a medical professional gives the green light, ask for a statement in writing as evidence to back up this decision. While on vacation, avoid any activities that your doctor doesn’t recommend, such as dancing or horseback riding. Keep vacation time restful, and don’t post yourself engaging in any strenuous physical activities on social media. Later on, your employer or insurance company might be able to use these as proof that the injury wasn’t serious.

Can You Also Receive Vacation Pay?

Many employers offer paid vacations to their regular employees so they can take off a week or two a year without worrying about their finances. Since these benefits are designed to partially replace the money you’d normally make when working, don't expect to collect vacation pay while already accepting income through workers’ compensation. If you do receive vacation pay, it will likely be deducted from your workers’ compensation payments. However, some employers may make exceptions, so talk to the person in charge of approving payments to be sure.

If you have additional questions about workers’ compensation, reach out to Allen, Nelson & Wilson. Their team has over six decades of combined experience helping clients throughout central and southwest Missouri get the benefits they need to recover comfortably. To learn more about their civil claims experience, visit the website. You can also call the Columbia office at (573) 441-2667 or their Springfield office at (888) 549-2667 to schedule a consultation.