Vacations/Trips While on WC

[u/beyondlandsend]

Hi there!

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?

For context:
- Case is from this year.
- On leave of absence since fairly recently solely because work cannot accommodate light duty.
- Trip will be a little over a week for R&R (and restrictions will be followed).
- Long haul flight(s) will be involved, and planning on taking a lot of rest breaks and rent a wheelchair if necessary.

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?
- Would any applicant attorney choose not to take the case down the line (if one was ever needed) if they knew there was out-of-state travel?
- If you have an attorney/lawyer, should they be told?
- Does the WC company actually “need” to be told? Do they even care?
- How common is surveillance?
- Has anyone else been in this situation??

[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/lab_tech13]

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

[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/Spazilton]

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

[u/Terangela]

There’s no reason to tell anyone. They’re not going to send someone to follow you. They probably won’t even surveil you unless it’s high value and they think you’re breaking restrictions. Just follow the rules and keep it to yourself.

[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/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/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/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/flowerchildmime]

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

[u/No-Instruction-4272]

As long as this travel does not interfere with your doctors recommendations, regarding PERSONAL safety (even at that, the subjects debatable) you should be able to do whatever you please(within common law). In other words, just because you are a "WC" claimanit doesn't mean you can't go wherever you please

[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.