Workers who are injured while performing job-related duties have a right
to worker’s compensation benefits to assist with their overall recovery.
But what happens when an injured worker is ready to get back to work?
In this blog, we answer some common questions that arise for employees
returning to work after filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Will My Job Still Be There When I’m Ready to Return to Work?
According to workers’ compensation law, employers are not required
to retain an employee’s position while they are on medical leave.
Despite this, many employers accept an employee who is returning from
medical leave. If you are ready return to work after you’ve recovered
from your injuries, you should consult with your employer to figure out
if your job is still open.
Can Medical Treatment Continue Once I’m Back at Work?
When a person is coming off of their workers’ compensation hiatus,
they should continue to follow their doctor’s recommendations. Depending
on the case, the cost of continued medical treatment can be covered by
an employer. Under a policy known as “Intermittent Time Loss,”
workers’ compensation can continue to be paid out to an employee
who has returned to work.
What If I Can’t do My Job When I Return?
Employees returning from workers’ comp leave are often concerned
about how their injury will impact their ability to perform their job
duties. If a worker returns and finds that they can’t complete work
tasks, they might have to request workers’ comp benefits again.
Another option is to ask for a temporary job change if the employer has
a different set of job duties that the employee can complete while they
further recover. The Worker’s Compensation Board also has resources
for new job training and job placement.
Do you have more questions or concerns about returning to work after your
workers’ comp leave? Contact our Glendale team of worker’ compensation attorneys
to learn how we can help with your case today.