Returning to work after sustaining a work injury isn’t necessarily a cut-and-dry process. Every person heals at their own pace and depending on the extent of your injury, you may need more time than someone else. In many cases though, in order to continue receiving benefits you will need to return to work. This can be troublesome for some people, especially since workers’ comp law does not require that you’re pain-free or symptom-free prior to returning to work. However, you should make sure to check with your physician when returning to work.
Keep this in mind: While you might have to return to work, you may not have to return to the exact job you were working on before your injury. If you’re still suffering from pain or other symptoms, there’s a good chance your physician has placed workplace restrictions on you. This means you will need to be given work that does not aggravate your injuries.
If your employer is willing to accommodate your restrictions, it’s important to discuss the details of your new job description with your physician. That way they can determine whether or not you are fit for that kind of work.
In many situations, your employer will be required to provide a formal job description for your doctor to approve before you can return to work. This will help ensure that you will continue to recover and not make your injuries worse after returning to your job. Working with your doctor and employer will help your transition back into the workplace go as smoothly as possible.
