Can I Go On Vacation While Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

While you can go on vacation while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, doing so may negatively affect your claim or may even lead to the suspension of your benefits.

However, whether or not going on vacation can complicate your workers’ compensation case depends on your unique circumstances. If you are considering going on vacation while recovering from your work-related injury or illness, speak with a Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss the potential impact of the trip on your case.

Can I Lose Workers’ Compensation Benefits if I Go on Vacation?

Yes, you could potentially lose your workers’ compensation benefits if you go on vacation while recovering from the injuries. The employer’s insurance company could use evidence of your vacation to discredit your claim and challenge the severity of your injury.

The insurer may argue that your ability to go on vacation proves that you are able to work. While you may be able to challenge the insurance company’s attempts to discredit your claim with the help of an experienced lawyer, going on extended vacation could negatively affect your case if you:

• Miss or reschedule medical appointments due to the vacation;
• Ignore the medical treatment or your doctor’s recommendations while on vacation;
• Go on vacation even though your workers’ compensation doctor advised you against taking a short or long trip; or
• Post social media pictures and videos of your physically demanding activities such as swimming, hiking, playing golf, working out in the gym, etc.

If your doctor says you can go on vacation while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may have to prefer a more relaxing vacation to avoid jeopardizing your case. However, no matter what kind of vacation you choose, the employer or insurance company may still have an excuse to  try to terminate your benefits.

It is best to consult with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney to determine how going on vacation may affect your particular case.

Can I Receive Vacation or Holiday Pay While on Workers’ Compensation?

You need to review the vacation policy in order to determine whether you can receive vacation or holiday pay while on workers’ compensation.

In other words, it means that you may be able to receive vacation pay on top of workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania depending on the Employer policy.  You may be able to have both if you have a cash value of unused vacation or have earned accrued benefits such as paid time off (PTO).

Note: If you are a member of a union working under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), you may be able to receive vacation pay while collecting workers’ comp benefits.

Contact a Harrisburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

Going on vacation while receiving workers’ compensation benefits may negatively affect your case or could even lead to the suspension of your benefits.

For this reason, it is advisable to consult with a knowledgeable attorney to determine if you can go on vacation without hurting your workers’ comp case. Schedule a consultation with our Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyers at Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., by calling 717-238-1657.