For many injured employees, going back to work after a workers’ compensation claim feels like a positive milestone. However, returning to work too soon or going back without proper medical clearance comes with serious risks. If you’re re-injured after returning to work, you may not only delay your recovery but also jeopardize your workers’ compensation benefits, or even your employment.
The Risks of Returning to Work Too Soon
After spending time away from work recovering from your injury, you may feel internal or external pressure to get back as quickly as possible. Doing so before you’re fully healed can put your health and financial stability further into question.
Physical Risks
When your body hasn’t fully healed and you attempt to resume your job duties, it’s very easy to end up injured again, especially if you perform physical labor at your job. Your condition could worsen or even potentially lead to chronic conditions, requiring additional medical treatment. It is important to take the appropriate amount of time to heal after an injury to prevent further injury or damage. Reinjuring yourself can result in a longer recovery period, the need for additional surgeries or rehabilitation, and more medical expenses. This can become both physically and emotionally taxing.
Financial Risk
From a financial standpoint, returning to work too quickly could impact workers’ compensation benefits, as the insurance carrier that paid your workers’ compensation benefits may argue that the return to work signals recovery, which potentially could reduce or terminate indemnity benefits.
The Importance of Medical Clearance
Legally, an injured worker should obtain medical clearance before resuming work duties. Your employer or their carrier may push for an early release, but only the treating provider should determine when an injured worker is truly ready. Another possibility is that you attempt a light-duty position if cleared for work with restrictions. This means you can work, but only under specific restrictions like avoiding heavy lifting or prolonged standing. This doesn’t mean that every employer will be able to accommodate a light-duty position. The best approach is to follow medical advice regarding work capability to ensure recovery before resuming work.
What to Do If You’re Re-Injured After Returning to Work
If you’ve suffered a new or aggravated injury after going back to work post-compensation, take the following steps:
- Report the reinjury immediately to your employer, just like the original incident.
- Seek prompt medical attention from an approved workers’ compensation doctor or facility.
- Document the date of the incident, your symptoms, the tasks you were performing at the time of injury, and other relevant details.
- Notify your workers’ compensation attorney or reach out to an attorney if you don’t already have one. While it is possible you could get workers’ compensation benefits, the insurance carrier will likely put up a fight.
Work With a Trusted Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you’re unsure about your ability to return or if you’ve been re-injured after returning to work, please contact Lewis & Lewis. You deserve to recover safely and fully with the benefits you’re entitled to. We are here to answer any questions if you are partially or fully cleared for work, or with your case in general.
