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If you’re receiving workers’ compensation in Missouri, you might wonder: can I still take a vacation or visit family while my claim is open? The short answer: yes. Missouri law does not restrict personal travel for injured workers.
But there are some important rules around medical care and exams that you need to understand so your trip doesn’t accidentally interfere with your benefits.
Missouri workers’ compensation law does not restrict personal travel or require employer approval for vacations. The real rules are about cooperating with medical exams, not refusing treatment, and mileage reimbursement limits for employer-required care. While you can travel, missing an IME or doctor’s appointment can suspend benefits. Always coordinate with your doctor and adjuster so your trip doesn’t interfere with your recovery or claim.
What Missouri Law Actually Says
Chapter 287 of the Missouri Revised Statutes—the state’s workers’ comp law—does not:
- Prohibit injured workers from traveling.
- Require employer approval to go on vacation.
- Impose a legal duty to “notify your doctor” before leaving town.
So where does the confusion come from? It usually ties back to three specific requirements in the law.
Attend Reasonable Medical Exams
Your employer, insurer, or the Division can require you to attend a medical exam. If you refuse or obstruct the exam, your benefits can be suspended for as long as you refuse. This rule is about cooperation with care, not restricting vacations.
Don’t Unreasonably Refuse Treatment
If you unreasonably refuse prescribed medical or surgical treatment, benefits may be reduced or suspended. Again, this isn’t a travel ban—it’s about sticking with care.
Travel for Treatment and Mileage Limits
When treatment or exams are scheduled outside your local area, the employer/insurer must advance or reimburse reasonable travel expenses. However:
- They don’t have to pay for transportation beyond 250 miles each way.
- If you live outside Missouri, you can require treatment to be located within 100 miles of your home, injury site, or place of hire (the employer still chooses the provider).
These rules address work-related medical travel, not vacations.
Guidance from the Missouri Department of Labor
The Missouri DOL’s own materials mirror the statute: they talk about the 250-mile cap and the exam requirement, but they say nothing about restricting personal travel or requiring notification for a trip.
Practical Takeaways
So, are you allowed to travel while on workers’ compensation? While the law doesn’t ban travel, practical problems can arise if a trip interferes with your medical obligations. That’s why we recommend:
- Tell your treating physician and adjuster about planned travel. This makes it easier to schedule exams or treatment around your trip.
- Don’t miss an IME or therapy session. Skipping an appointment can be treated as “refusal,” which may pause your benefits.
- Keep records. If you reschedule or coordinate care, note it in writing.
Travel itself won’t get your claim denied—but missing care or ignoring restrictions might.
Protect Your Benefits with Cantor Injury Law
Travel during a workers’ compensation claim doesn’t have to put your benefits at risk—but only if you handle it the right way. At Cantor Injury Law, we help injured workers across Missouri understand their rights, avoid costly mistakes, and protect their recovery.
If you’re considering a trip while on workers’ comp, or if your employer or insurer is challenging your benefits, contact our team today. We’ll make sure your claim stays on track so you can focus on healing.
Call Cantor Injury Law now for a free consultation and let us fight for your benefits.
