After being injured on the job, most people reach a point in their recovery when they can go back to work with certain restrictions. This period of light duty work is a crucial but somewhat confusing time in your recovery. You are no longer totally disabled yet you are unable to take on your job completely.
You want to get back to work. You want to pull your share of the load and keep your boss happy. In fact, you are required to perform light duty work if your employer insists and you are cleared to do so by your doctor.
But what do you do if your boss pressures you to perform more demanding work than you are cleared for? Trying to work past your medical restrictions can risk further injury and a delay in your healing process. Still, refusing to do the work you're assigned could threaten your job.
At the Law Offices of Kenneth B. Katz, we understand these issues and we can fight to preserve your job and your workers' compensation benefits while you continue the healing process.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn more about how light duty work will affect your workers' comp claim.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires your employer to be reasonable about accommodating your medical restrictions or disability. If your boss is willing to accommodate you with appropriate light-duty work, make sure you clearly understand the exact nature of the work being offered and inform your employer if any of that work exceeds your current capabilities.
There are number of things you should keep in mind when evaluating your current physical restrictions:
However, if your boss can't accommodate your restrictions, you can still get workers' comp. As long as you keep looking for work that is within your restrictions, you are still eligible for benefits.
Also, if you are not able to make the kind of money you had been making before your injury, workers' compensation can make up a portion of the difference.
For more information on light-duty work and how to keep your benefits, contact us today for a free initial consultation. We're here to help.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2010 by Law Offices of Kenneth B. Katz. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.