You earned your workers’ compensation benefits by following the rules after your workplace injury. Now you want to visit family, attend a destination wedding, or simply sit on a quiet beach.
We often hear this question: “Can I travel while receiving benefits?” The answer is yes, but it requires careful planning and complete transparency.
Below, our workers’ compensation law firm explains how Florida law treats travel, what insurers watch for, and the steps you should take to keep payments flowing.
Why Travel Raises Questions During Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation pays you because you are temporarily unable to work. An out-of-state trip or even a weekend road trip can make an insurer wonder whether you are as restricted as your medical records suggest.
Carriers invest heavily in surveillance, spending an estimated $400 million nationwide each year to detect fraud, and vacation photos are an easy target. The last thing you want is a social-media image of you parasailing to become Exhibit A in a benefits denial.
Florida Workers’ Compensation Fundamentals
Florida’s workers’ compensation system is governed by Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes. Section 440.20 requires insurers to begin paying or denying claims within fourteen days of notice, which creates strong incentives for carriers to revisit eligibility whenever new information surfaces.
Section 440.185 obligates injured workers to cooperate with medical treatment and keep the employer informed of their condition, including any address changes that could affect mail from the carrier or doctor.
Section 440.092 clearly states that injuries occurring while an employee “deviates” from employment duties—such as leaving the job site for a purely personal errand—are generally not covered. This underlines the importance of demonstrating that new injuries do not result from risky vacation activities.
Medical Restrictions Come First
Our physicians’ orders define what we can and cannot do. If your doctor says you must avoid lifting more than ten pounds or walking long distances, remember those limitations when booking flights, navigating airports, or planning sightseeing.
Ask the treating physician for a written travel release that spells out any permitted distance and required accommodations, such as wheelchair assistance. Keep that letter if the insurer requests proof that the trip did not violate restrictions.
Notify Your Doctor, Employer, and Adjuster
Florida law does not explicitly forbid travel, but the duty of cooperation means you should tell all stakeholders. We advise sending a brief written notice—email works—to your doctor, employer, and claims adjuster at least two weeks before departure.
Specify the destination, travel dates, and how you will keep medical appointments or take telehealth visits. This paper trail shows good faith if questions arise later.
How Insurance Carriers Use Surveillance
Carriers often hire private investigators to watch injured workers during periods of disability. Industry publications report that surveillance is likely scheduled around holidays and popular vacation periods because claimants are more mobile.
Investigators may stake out your home, follow you to the airport, or monitor public social-media posts. If a video shows you carrying heavy luggage despite a lifting restriction, the carrier may file a petition to suspend benefits and allege fraud. That proceeding could delay checks for months while the Judge of Compensation Claims evaluates the evidence.
Temporary Disability, MMI, and Travel Timing
If you receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits, travel demands special caution. Missing a scheduled doctor visit can trigger a suspension because ongoing medical proof is required every thirty-five days.
Once you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and receive Impairment Income Benefits, you may have more freedom because treatment visits occur less frequently, but you must still avoid activities that contradict the permanent restrictions.
Out-of-State and International Travel: Special Concerns
Leaving Florida introduces logistical hurdles. Your authorized physician must remain within the state, and Florida law requires the carrier to approve medical care in advance. If you plan to be away for several weeks, arrange telemedicine sessions or secure written permission for an out-of-state provider.
Travel overseas raises additional issues: most carriers will not pay for emergency care abroad, and a missed return flight due to illness could be interpreted as noncompliance. Discuss contingency plans with the adjuster before you finalize tickets.
Potential Consequences of Violating Restrictions
If the carrier believes your trip violated medical orders or suggests malingering, it may file a Notice of Suspension. Benefits may stop immediately until a hearing. If the Judge finds intentional misrepresentation, Section 440.09(4) authorizes a complete forfeiture of future benefits and exposes you to criminal penalties.
Photographs or witness testimony showing you engaging in prohibited activities can be enough to meet the “clear and convincing” evidence standard.
Practical Steps to Safely Plan a Trip
- Obtain a detailed travel release from your doctor.
- Send advance written notice to your employer and adjuster.
- Schedule all medical appointments around the trip and confirm telehealth options.
- Choose low-impact activities that match restrictions.
- Keep all receipts and boarding passes to prove dates and sedentary travel choices.
- Limit social-media posts and ask friends not to tag you in photos.
- Carry the adjuster’s contact information in case of emergencies.
Following these steps demonstrates that you respect the process and wish to recover quickly.
Frequently Asked Travel Scenarios
Can I drive to visit family for a weekend?
Yes, if driving does not violate medical restrictions and you remain available for treatment. Notify stakeholders and save fuel receipts to verify mileage.
What if I must fly for a funeral?
Emergencies happen. Contact the adjuster immediately, request a telehealth follow-up after you return, and keep documentation such as the obituary.
May I go on a cruise?
Cruises pose challenges because onboard medical facilities are outside the Florida network. Carriers often deny reimbursement if you become ill at sea. Seek explicit approval first.
Can the insurer deny my claim solely because I left the state?
Travel alone is not grounds for denial, but noncompliance with treatment or conflicting activity videos can justify suspension.
Will I be reimbursed for mileage to medical visits during travel?
Florida Administrative Code Rule 69L-7.020 allows reimbursement at the state mileage rate when the carrier approves the visit in advance. To claim mileage, provide travel logs.
Florida Workers’ Compensation by the Numbers
According to the Division of Workers’ Compensation 2024 Annual Report, the state processed over 3.7 million medical bills and paid over $1.6 billion in medical benefits in calendar year 2023.
This volume means carriers scrutinize every claim for potential cost savings. The Division’s data show that 56 percent of medical payments occur within twelve months of injury, so early compliance, including careful travel planning, is critical to maintaining income.
How Our Firm Protects Injured Workers Who Need to Travel
As a workers’ compensation lawyer in Florida, we routinely guide clients through travel-related questions. We review medical records, coordinate with physicians for written releases, and draft detailed travel letters that satisfy adjusters.
If a carrier schedules surveillance or suspends benefits, we appear before the Judge of Compensation Claims to show that our client acted within restrictions. Our litigation team leverages decades of experience as a workplace accident attorney in Florida to present clear evidence and protect benefits.
Your Next Steps
- Call us before booking. A quick consultation with a Florida work injury attorney can prevent costly mistakes.
- Gather documentation. Bring medical restrictions, proposed itinerary, and any letters from your doctor.
- Let us handle adjuster questions. We communicate directly with carriers so you can focus on healing.
- Enjoy your trip responsibly. With proper precautions, travel can aid your mental recovery without jeopardizing financial security.
Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for More Information
Traveling while receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Florida is possible, but it involves more than packing a suitcase.
You must align your itinerary with medical restrictions, comply with statutory duties, and anticipate carrier scrutiny. Notifying all parties and keeping meticulous records proves that your priority remains recovery.
Call our workers’ comp lawyer in Florida if you have any questions. We will review your plan and provide clear guidance so you can confidently travel and keep every benefit you deserve.