The goal of the workers’ compensation system is to help an individual return to work in a standard capacity, but oftentimes it takes time for an injured worker to reach the point that they can return to their full work duties. However, they may not be completely physically limited during this recovery process, which means they may be eligible for light duty work at their job.
Light duty work allows a worker to return to work in a safe and limited capacity while they continue to work through their rehabilitation program. As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, if light duty work is offered by your company, you need to accept it, otherwise it suggests that you are electively turning down gainful employment, and that can cause the insurance company to cease payments on your claim. But how might light duty be offered to you after an on-the-job injury? We explore different forms of light duty work in today’s blog.
Examples Of Light Duty Work
Light duty work can come in many different forms, and your light duty offerings will certainly depend on your company, your role and how they can help to find gainful work for you while you progress through your recovery. Here’s a look at some of the most common forms of light duty work after a work injury:
Modified Job Duties – For many workers, being offered light duty work in the form of modified job duties is ideal. You’ll return to your normal job, but you may not be able to perform some aspects of your role. For example, an assembly line worker may not be able to load or unload freight, but they can conduct the rest of their inspection and processing just fine.
Limited Hours – Some jobs will allow you to return to work at a full capacity, but not for an entire shift. For example, if you work in an industry where 10- or 12-hour shifts are the norm, perhaps your company would ease you back into the schedule after an injury or surgery with a 4-6 hour work day given your physical limitations and your doctor’s advice.
New Role – If you work a particularly physical job, you may need to transition to a different role within the company until you recover. For example, if you’re a police officer or a construction worker, you may need to perform some desk or office duties until you can handle the rigors of your normal job. If you are never going to be able to return to your old position in a full capacity, you may transition to this new role while collecting other types of injury benefits.
Accommodations – Finally, you may be able to return to work with certain accommodations. You may even be able to return to your normal work duties in a full capacity with these accommodations, but we’re keeping it on this list nonetheless. If your work is able to provide you with certain accommodations, you may be able to return to work before you’ve made a full recovery. Some examples of common accommodations include sit-to-stand workstations, ergonomic computer equipment, or voice-to-text systems.
Light duty work can take many forms, but it’s important that you have conversations with your lawyer, your employer and your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your restrictions or your light duty work. Declining light duty work can cause problems for your claim, but if you believe the work being offered is outside of your medical restrictions, be sure to speak up.
For help advocating on your behalf in regards to your injury claim or your eligible benefits, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.
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