Going to Disney while on Workers Comp

[Zachsmom4]

[Even if you weren't risking the WC company claiming he is not as injured as he says he is, you risk not being paid wages for the time you are gone. I don't believe WC pays wages for vacation time.[/QUOTE]

DH has informed WC that he will take the week unpaid. He is not trying to scam the system.

 

[soupy11]

Hope you guys can have a great trip!

 

[Eljay]

Thank you all for your advise. DH has gotten the ok from his Dr.'s and PT to go to Disney. He has been relased to light duty and is able to work with restrictions, but his job does not have any light duty available to him so he is off. His work is well aware that he had this trip planned. So he is not hiding anything and has been upfront with WC the entire time.

Have a safe trip and actually the walking might help him, I know it helps me.
No lifting suitcases!!!

 

[mousefan1972]

I scheduled my physical therapy right before I left and right when I returned so I didn't miss any sessions.

Unless you were only in Disney for 2 days, you did miss PT sessions. I am an outpatient physical therapist with 16 years of experience. When I complete an initial evaluation, I expect the patient to return in 2 days for their first follow up appointment. It especially burns me when worker's comp patients miss appointments, since as PP stated it is your job to get better and return to work. Also, a patient's status can complete change while they are away, even more so if they are doing strenuous activity such as walking many miles each day at WDW.

To the OP, I'm sure your DH's PT isn't happy about him going to Disney in the middle of his treatment. He or she just didn't say it. Good thing I'm not his PT, because I would say it.. in a nice way, of course.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I wouldn't mess with workers comp.. I was just on it because I broke my wrist at work and I say now that if I hurt myself again at work- I'm going to lie my butt off and say that it happened at home. ( we have temporary disability insurance in my state). They can be quite obnoxious. In my case, only to a point, because you can't fake a fracture, but ive known people with back injuries that go through the wringer with them.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I would not do anything that might negatively impact DH's comp case until getting legal advice from an attorney. The potential negative ramifications are too significant.

Comp law varies from state to state, so consult an attorney in your state who works regularly in that field of practice. Most attorneys will meet with someone the first time for free.

 

[d1gitman]

i'd be following the advice of my attorney, followed by the advice of my doctor on this one. why on earth take a chance...unless the money doesn't matter...then go right ahead with no worries.

 

[dsny1mom]

Unless you were only in Disney for 2 days, you did miss PT sessions. I am an outpatient physical therapist with 16 years of experience. When I complete an initial evaluation, I expect the patient to return in 2 days for their first follow up appointment. It especially burns me when worker's comp patients miss appointments, since as PP stated it is your job to get better and return to work. Also, a patient's status can complete change while they are away, even more so if they are doing strenuous activity such as walking many miles each day at WDW.

To the OP, I'm sure your DH's PT isn't happy about him going to Disney in the middle of his treatment. He or she just didn't say it. Good thing I'm not his PT, because I would say it.. in a nice way, of course.

I was in PT 2 x a week at the time I went to WDW. I did a Monday/Tues one week then a Fri/Sat the next week. I did not miss an appt. The PT person didn't have a problem with my appts or me going out of town. Actually she felt it would be good for me to go somewhere warm and spend time in a hot tub with good strong jets. My Dr felt the same way. As long as I was following my restrictions and attending all appts it didn't matter where I was. My injury did not prevent me from walking or standing for any length of time. I didn't tell WC as it was none of their business.

Being off from work for a work injury is not a jail sentence that keeps one tied exclusively to their home and Dr/PT appts. My attorney knew I was going and his only concern was that I stayed within my restrictions, attended my PT appts and had a good time.

dsny1mom

 

[ftballfan7]

I was in PT 2 x a week at the time I went to WDW. I did a Monday/Tues one week then a Fri/Sat the next week. I did not miss an appt. The PT person didn't have a problem with my appts or me going out of town. Actually she felt it would be good for me to go somewhere warm and spend time in a hot tub with good strong jets. My Dr felt the same way. As long as I was following my restrictions and attending all appts it didn't matter where I was. My injury did not prevent me from walking or standing for any length of time. I didn't tell WC as it was none of their business.

Being off from work for a work injury is not a jail sentence that keeps one tied exclusively to their home and Dr/PT appts. My attorney knew I was going and his only concern was that I stayed within my restrictions, attended my PT appts and had a good time.

dsny1mom

 

[Madhatter266]

I have been involved with the processing and handling of many WC cases within our corporation. It is amazing how many coworkers and peers will go out of their way to "turn-in" each other. I have seen employees take pictures, record discussions, recruit other workers to validate "sightings", etc. I know that this is a difficult decision, but I would go out of my way to stay 100% within the guidelines. I have seen our corporation challenge physician's statements by requiring an independent second doctor's review and that never ends well!

 

[Tgtown]

Thank you all for your advise. DH has gotten the ok from his Dr.'s and PT to go to Disney. He has been relased to light duty and is able to work with restrictions, but his job does not have any light duty available to him so he is off. His work is well aware that he had this trip planned. So he is not hiding anything and has been upfront with WC the entire time.

I understand the importance of the WC, but first and foremost have your husband do what the doctor told him to do. Even if he feels up to a certain ride or doing something that may be okay don't risk it. I hurt my back a long time ago when I was young and stupid and didn't give it time to heal properly. It doesn't effect my job or anything like that, never used WC or been on any kind of disability, but I know my limits and if I go past them I know I won't be able to walk without great pain the next day. Sorry for the long post, but ultimately his long term health is the most important thing.

Have fun on your trip whether it's in 3 days or further out if you have to reschedule.

 

[DizzDoll]

Thank you all for your advise. DH has gotten the ok from his Dr.'s and PT to go to Disney. He has been relased to light duty and is able to work with restrictions, but his job does not have any light duty available to him so he is off. His work is well aware that he had this trip planned. So he is not hiding anything and has been upfront with WC the entire time.

Then have a good time! There are many rest spots at WDW he can visit to give his back a rest. Don't push things and you'll all be fine.

I remember when the guy down the street from me hurt his back at work, he started a lawsuit against the company he worked for. The company in turn sent -- for want of a better word, spies -- to check up on him to make sure he wasn't doing any work around the house, or pushing a lawnmower, or lifting grocery bags out of the car, and things along those lines. I actually saw the "spy" taking pictures! Wanted to wave my PhotoPass card at him!

But since you got the all clear, you're all set. Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Then have a good time! There are many rest spots at WDW he can visit to give his back a rest. Don't push things and you'll all be fine.

I remember when the guy down the street from me hurt his back at work, he started a lawsuit against the company he worked for. The company in turn sent -- for want of a better word, spies -- to check up on him to make sure he wasn't doing any work around the house, or pushing a lawnmower, or lifting grocery bags out of the car, and things along those lines. I actually saw the "spy" taking pictures! Wanted to wave my PhotoPass card at him!

But since you got the all clear, you're all set. Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

 

[ftballfan7]

Then have a good time! There are many rest spots at WDW he can visit to give his back a rest. Don't push things and you'll all be fine.

I remember when the guy down the street from me hurt his back at work, he started a lawsuit against the company he worked for. The company in turn sent -- for want of a better word, spies -- to check up on him to make sure he wasn't doing any work around the house, or pushing a lawnmower, or lifting grocery bags out of the car, and things along those lines. I actually saw the "spy" taking pictures! Wanted to wave my PhotoPass card at him!

But since you got the all clear, you're all set. Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

A few years ago, a guy was sitting in his car on the side of the road across the street from my house. I live in a residential neighborhood and didn't recognize him. We actually live on a loop, so there is no reason to be on our street unless you are going to or from one the houses on the street. He wasn't taking pictures, just sitting there. I noticed him about 45 minutes before the bus was due to come and kept an eye on him. About 20 minutes before the busses would arrive to drop off the neighborhood kids, I went out to ask him who he was and what he was doing. He told me it was none of my busieness, it is a public street. So I pulled my truck out of the garage and pulled up right behind him and parked, sitting there watching him. He called the police on me. It turned out he was watching one of my neighbors houses down the street for an insurance company. I may have given said neighbor a heads up tha he was being watched. My neighbor wasn't faking anything, but just the same nice to know you are under surveilence (sp).

 

[DISNEYSIX]

Go for it! Be sure to post lots of pics.

 

[Karlzmom]

I am a prosecutor who handles nothing but fraud involving workers' comp. This in NOT legal advice, only a general statement about a number of the cases that have crossed my desk. If a carrier believes that the applicant has been less than fully forthcoming with their medical practioner, then the company won't really care what the Dr. said. After all, the doctors base a large part of their findings on the statements of the patient about their condition. It is within the realm of possibility that a carrier would give a hard look to a vacation like WDW when assessing exactly what the applicant says they can and can not do. I have a case in my office right now that was referred for prosecution based on a DL trip. I am not stating that you will be referred for prosecution, but anyone on comp should be aware that it can and does happen. In my state, carriers are required to notify law enforcement if they even suspect fraud. OP- best of luck in making your decision.