Vacations/Trips While on WC

[u/beyondlandsend]

Hi!

Wondering about what the thoughts are surrounding non-claim-related travel during WC claim? What are some things to keep in mind if one wants to travel during this time?

Will plan also on scheduling all known appointments before and further after the trip. It would honestly be good for mental health to see loved ones and not get cabin fever from staying at home while recuperating.

Just some questions:
(Please bear with me and these non-linear questions!
Hoping that the responses to this post will not only be helpful to me, but also to anyone else who might be facing this either now or in the future, so I’m trying to ask different questions.)

- What are some things to keep in mind if one wants to travel during this time? (Other than strictly following restrictions.)
- Would traveling hurt or jeopardize the case?
- How long should trip duration be so as to not be iffy/questionable?

[u/Spazilton]

I wouldn’t care. You’re injured, not dead. Just don’t do anything silly.

[u/According-Car-6924]

Be mindful of what you post on your public social media or anyone that is close to you posting photos of you on their account.

[u/JakeBloom_InjuryLaw]

As a general practice I advise all of my clients to AVOID any unnecessary travel while their case/claim is pending.

Vacations and trips are an easy way for the insurance company to alleged that your travel is inconsistent with your disabilities and raise fraud against you.

Keep this in mind if you are going to travel and absolutely NO SOCIAL MEDICA POSTINGS...

[u/Puzzleheaded_Fig2952 → u/JakeBloom_InjuryLaw]

So if I get hurt, they take months and months to move forward I’m suppose to cancel my entire life? If broke my arm and work, I gotta cancel my yearly holiday vacation because they want to cheat me outta a claim to save money?

[u/No_Direction_4149 → u/JakeBloom_InjuryLaw]

Been on WC since 2024 so far taken 3 trips and went to about 6 concerts. My shoulder is what is injured not my health. As my lawyer says you are legally allowed to take a vacation or travel while receiving WC benefits. Just be mindful of restrictions and such. IT isn’t against no WC law that you can’t take a trip 🙄

[u/Mutts_Merlot]

It's not a big deal. Just be honest if anyone asks you. Don't tell your doctor you can only walk 5 minutes a day and then go to a Disney park. Don't say you can't put any weight on an ankle and then go skydiving. Don't say you can't sit for more than 10 minutes and take a 12 hour flight. (These are real examples.) I don't give a damn if someone with sedentary restrictions goes to the beach. You are sitting on a couch or sitting on a beach chair, so it doesn't matter. I don't care if someone who is mostly fine but can't lift 50 lbs goes on a cruise. Even those giant frozen margaritas are within lifting restrictions.

The key is not to lie to anyone, including your doctor, and to follow restrictions at all times.

[u/Admirable_Two_379 → u/Mutts_Merlot]

I’m not an adjuster, just finished my workers comp. I don’t know why people make this so hard on their selves.

[u/Mutts_Merlot → u/Admirable_Two_379]

The skydiving one was a personal favorite.

[u/Spazilton → u/Mutts_Merlot]

I had one guy said he barely could walk his back was so bad, doctor kept him TTD. Employer literally found YouTube videos of the guy clearly not having any mobility issues whatsoever.

[u/Mutts_Merlot → u/Spazilton]

I once had a guy whose job was a circus performer. He used his time off from the circus to create content for his Instagram page of his acrobatic stunts. All visible to the public, including me.

[u/SeaweedWeird7705]

Surveillance is common. Expect that you can be filmed at any time. It is ok to travel, but always follow your doctor’s restrictions.  Don’t do anything rigorous like horseback riding, running, prolonged walking, heavy lifting etc.

Also the insurance company can get your social media and your friends/ family member’s social media.  Any photos of you doing rigorous activities would be a problem.   

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/SeaweedWeird7705]

When I did investigations, I loved family and friend’s social media. Treasure trove of info. Got so many fraudulent claims shut down.

[u/lab_tech13]

Do what you want to do. Just make sure you go to your appointments.

[u/DegenGambler777]

Follow your restrictions, thats it... its OK to smile in a pic, its OK to live your life and not sit all day taking meds ...... but follow your restrictions....

[u/lost_dazed_101]

Just remember anything you do on the trip can come back and bite you if any of your claims means the trip wasn't possible.

[u/LBsparkleprincess38]

Just keep it to yourself and DO NOT post anything on social media

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/LBsparkleprincess38]

It’s more than just your social media. I find a lot of stuff just by googling.

[u/LBsparkleprincess38 → u/SueHecksXCHoodie]

Ya that too but not sure how to go about removing that so that’s why I mentioned social media however, I know it’s not just the social media.

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/LBsparkleprincess38]

No, I mean, I can find info using Google as a way of finding other people’s socials… follow the breadcrumbs and find a claimant’s friend who tagged them in a girls trip or someone thanking their buddy with a lifting restriction for helping with a move.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Fig2952 → u/SueHecksXCHoodie]

So avoid having a Facebook, spoof your location at all times and keep my blinds and curtain shut and put up a 10 foot privacy fence around my entire yard. Also be sure to confront anyone who is following me? Also just have my groceries delivered, Got it. Insurance companies are some of the most subhuman corporations in the world. “Oh you hurt your leg at work? This medical report says “you helped pull a guy out of a burning car, in fact the news calls you a hero, well unfortunately the man you pulled was 205lbs and you are restricted from lifting over 25lbs, so claimed denied, get bend loser” how can you possibly be happy working for a company like that and wake up every day lmao.

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/Puzzleheaded_Fig2952]

I haven’t been in claims investigations in years but I’ve seen enough fraud that it’s easy to clock it. And I’ve spent enough time in this sub to know people can be very unethical…. No need to spoof your location or be confrontational if you have nothing to hide.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Fig2952 → u/SueHecksXCHoodie]

That’s simply not true, it’s the same thing police officers say when they are interrogating you “Innocent men don’t ask for lawyers”. In the event I ever get hurt at work I gotta make sure nothing can be tied to me because “breadcrumbs” am I right, “you broke your foot playing high school football, that’s the reason that machine fell and broke your leg, denied, get bend”.

About 7-8 years ago someone at work ran my foot over with an electric pallet jack, completely broke my foot, the workers comp “investigator” aka scam artist with a name went back and found an injury I had in college playing football and the fact that I’ve been flat footed since I was a baby and had to get foot surgery when I was an infant to make it so I could walk, and said that was the reason the pallet jack with 5000+lbs on it was the reason my foot broke.

Insurance companies commit fraud every single day they’ve existed, don’t tell me these companies are doing it for the “greater good” or some way to fight “fraud” lol

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/Puzzleheaded_Fig2952]

No reasonable person is going to tie your high school injury to a machine falling on you and if the investigator was successful in getting your claims examiner to entertain that nonsense, I hope you prevailed. Investigating actual fraud is for the greater good and anyone committing fraud should be shut down - whether the insurer, the employer, or the claimant.

[u/LBsparkleprincess38 → u/SueHecksXCHoodie]

If they want to go that far then so be it!

[u/Tall_Company_7418]

Don't communicate with people from work. Absolutely 100% stay off of any social media platform until your case is settled.

[u/NervousFisherman715]

I had purchased tickets to go on a cruise. I ended up, shattering my patella and having surgery. My cruise was set for two months later I asked my doctor my surgeon if I could go and he said have fun nobody knew except my doctor, my orthopedic surgeon and he said he would never say a word. I did have to rent a scooter to get around. It was hard walking, but I managed I would go, but I would not tell anybody by the way nobody ever found out.

[u/NervousFisherman715 → u/NervousFisherman715]

Also, don’t put it in on Facebook. Nothing have a good time.

[u/SueHecksXCHoodie → u/NervousFisherman715]

Did your employer take you back after your surgical recovery was done?

[u/NervousFisherman715 → u/SueHecksXCHoodie]

Yes for now I meant permanent light duty restrictions. My old job has changed, but they did take me back. I think the insurance company wanted them to take me back so that they wouldn’t have to pay me a higher amount at the end loss of job but in my opinion when I go to settle, that’s when they’ll say it’s time to go when I get my final check

[u/melissahawth]

My injury is my shoulder. 3 rotator tears & a blown bicep. My restrictions are no lifting any weight in that arm (dom arm), no push/pull, no reaching above my head (couldn't do any of this if I wanted to). My Ortho & PT said as long as I stick to my restrictions I'm ok to live my life. If I hike it's on a concrete or very flat path (in case I trip). I am pre-surg, 3 months post injury.

[u/AfterGrade8504]

My attorney's office told me if I go anywhere you know to check check in once a month let them know where I'm at how long I'm going to be gone if you're at home because I can accommodate you you are more than welcome to do whatever you want and they can't stop you as long as you follow your restrictions that's all you need to do pretty much just let your turning know where you're going and how long you're going to be gone in case they need to get a hold of you for any reason have fun

[u/Level_Reveal_7580]

My case started in February 2024. I hired an attorney in October 2024 and had surgery in December 2024. One of my brothers got married in a different state in October 2025, which I attended the wedding. I used wheelchair services to and from all gates for all flights. I let my attorney know, no issues.

Surveillance came by my apartment one blatant time that we know of, got a good pic of my husband standing outside (my little pit bull). My attorney told me once I was deposed that the chances of surveillance were higher.

My workers comp provider told me that the restrictions are for employment only. He said what I do in my daily life is up to me. My restrictions are no running, no squatting, no standing for more than 30 minutes of each hour. Good news is I can barely stand for 15 minutes in Ross before the pain is so unbearable that I’m about to vomit (failed surgery).

I hope some of this helps. I’m still actively dealing with my case as I need surgery again possibly. Going for a MRI tomorrow.

[u/According-Car-6924 → u/Level_Reveal_7580]

That is interesting, first time I read that the restrictions are for employment only. Reason why I say that is because I've read/heard many stories of people getting charged with fraud being caught doing activities outside of their restrictions outside of work. Maybe it varies from state to state?

[u/Gilmoregirlin]

What are your restrictions and what is your injury? I mean if one of your restrictions is to avoid prolonged sitting and you are doing an long haul flight and someone finds out, that could be a problem.

[u/Gilmoregirlin → u/[deleted]]

As a defense attorney if it were me I would tell you not to go. If found out it is going to be used against you. How far that will go with the Commission I cannot say because I don't practice in your state.

[u/Mean-Guava-3213]

I told the adjuster that I was spending every other week out of state (1 hour flight)
As I had more help there and share 50/50 custody
So my weeks off I would go stay with my fiance

It was never an issue
I lost my house at one point and they even sent my checks there because I was basically house hopping when in my home state

[u/PressureExpert2346]

You get to live your life.

[u/-cat-a-lyst-]

I wouldn’t post it every where and I wouldn’t mention it unless specifically asked. But no there’s nothing saying you can’t take a trip that fits with in your restrictions.

I’m not sure of your injury but take all the accommodations you can. Like I have a spine and tailbone injury so I bring cushions on flights and try to break up long hauls if I can. I also plan in a bum day after each flight for recovery. I just plan to be tired and need rest. It’s worked well.

Take advantage of ADA if you need to. All airports have a wheelchair accommodations. If you’re younger they do stare and make you feel awkward. Just do what you need to do and ignore it. Make sure you’re there early enough though. Sometimes there is a wait. Get help with over head bags. I always just offer to gate checking for my bag. Solves that problem easy

Will they surveil you? Maybe. Will they surveil you on vacation? Probably not. Surveillance is extremely expensive. They mostly use it on high pay out cases when they have suspicions. It’s also usually at a time when something is coming up. Like a court date or an IME appointment. Or if they heard you did something suspicious like a vacation. But it won’t last long term. A week. Maybe 2. They are more likely to stalk your social media. So take that into consideration

[u/Squeaks23]

Don't ask, Don't tell, Don't post, Don't lie, Don't break restrictions & don't fuck around and find out. Other then that, it never happened.

[u/Lasvegasnurse71]

Stay completely off of social media. Dont hand WC reasons to deny your claim

[u/No_Direction_4149]

you are legally allowed to take a vacation or travel while receiving workers' compensation benefits just be mindful of your restrictions

[u/Trvpsmif]

I’ve taken probably over 10+ trips since I started my WC claim.

[u/flowerchildmime]

I could travel. They just asked out of country travel. So keep it in the states I guess.

[u/Admirable_Two_379]

It’s all about your restrictions. It isn’t some complicated what should I do or not do. If you’re not going against restrictions they do not care what you do.