If you’re on workers’ compensation benefits, it’s really important that you continue looking for a job while out of work. It may be really annoying, and feel entirely pointless, but the truth is if you’re not actively looking for a job, you could lose your benefits. If you are wondering why you need to still job search while on workers’ comp, here are a few reasons why.
1. It Shows You’re Committed to Finding Work
The main reason why you need to job search while on workers’ comp is that it shows the insurance company and your employer that you are committed to finding work. This is important because if they don’t believe you are actively looking for a job, they may not continue paying your benefits.
2. It Helps You Stay Up-to-Date
Even if you’re not actively looking for a job, it’s important to stay up to date with the job market. This means reading job postings, networking with other professionals in your field, and attending career fairs. All of these activities can help you stay informed about what employers are looking for and how to best position yourself for a successful job search.
3. It Keeps You Motivated
Job searching can be a long and tedious process, but it’s important to stay motivated throughout the process. By actively looking for a job while on workers’ comp, you can stay motivated and focused on finding work. This will help you stay positive and keep your spirits up during what can be a difficult time.
4. It Helps You Find the Right Job
Finally, job searching while on workers’ comp can help you find the right job for you. By actively looking for a job, you can narrow down your options and find a job that is best suited to your skills and experience. This will help ensure that you are successful in your new role and that you are able to transition back into the workforce smoothly.
How Can You Prove Disability?
If you are on workers’ compensation benefits, it is important to prove your disability in order to receive the benefits. There are three major ways you can prove disability:
- Your doctor has said you are unfit for any kind of work (and you have this in writing).
- You have returned to work at a lower salary (which means you will be earning temporary partial disability).
- You are unsuccessful in your job search due to your inability to work.
In North Carolina, unless otherwise specified by the Industrial Commission or your doctor, the responsibility to prove that you are unemployable falls with you, the injured party. Therefore, you need to be applying for jobs, even if you know you are physically unable to do them. Showing that you are making the effort will prove that your inability to find work is not because you aren’t trying, and instead because you are not unemployable.
When dealing with a workers’ compensation case, there are a lot of things like looking for a job that seem trivial when they are actually very important. The best thing you can do when dealing with a workers’ comp claim is to find an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the process. Don’t get tripped up by invisible red-tape or legality that you didn’t know about.
