Returning to Work After Workers’ Compensation – Legal Guide

The primary goal for workers who get injured on the job in Indiana is to get back to work. While some injuries make it impossible for them, injured workers often want to get back to their jobs because working gives them purpose and meaning.

Worker’s compensation is beneficial for covering medical and financial costs while injured, and you should certainly seek it and go through this website to get assistance. Still, the compensation does not serve as a replacement for a full-time salary and benefits.

However, returning to work after workers’ compensation needs to be done carefully. Injured workers need to ensure that they have fully recovered from the injuries or been told the same by their doctor.

Once the person has made enough recovery from the injury to be able to get back to work, let us now look at how to make the shift simple and convenient for the worker and employer.

Keep in Contact With Your Employer

It is better to keep your employer informed regarding your medical progression, especially if you are planning to get back to your job once medically approved.

Be in contact with the employer and work along with the supervisor. Tell them how you are currently feeling, what your doctor told you regarding the injury, and when you may return to work. Remaining in touch with your employer makes it apparent you are not faking the entire situation or trying to use it to your advantage.

There are also practical reasons for doing it. By communicating, they will be prepared, too, when you are all set to return to work. For example, suppose you have any medical restrictions, and you regularly talk to your employer about your medical progress.

In that case, it will be easier for the employer to assign you a job that accommodates those limitations. Just showing up one day and saying to the employer, “I’m back!” will make it a much more challenging process.

Do Not Go Back to Work Before You Are Ready

If the doctor has not approved your return, it is not really a good idea to ignore your doctor. Getting back to work before making enough recovery may affect it, and you can be re-injured.

Although you feel you are fit enough to return to your job, your doctor still has not approved it, so you should listen to your doctor. The doctor may allow you to get back to your job with medical restrictions that you need to follow in order to attain full recovery.

What is a Return to Work Form?

If you are getting workers’ compensation benefits after your injury at work, receiving a Notice of Ability to Return to Work can raise quite a few questions in your mind. If you receive such a notice, you should contact your lawyer right away, who can help you understand your rights in this situation.

Despite the title, the particular notice does not mean you need to get back to work right away, or you will lose your benefits immediately. The insurance company sends such a notice when they are considering stopping your benefits. Hence, the moment you receive one of these notices, it is time for you to consult a lawyer immediately.

Can I be Forced Back to Work After Injury?

No, after receiving the notice, you cannot be forced to return to your job while still injured. For instance, you and your doctor can protest the medical details that have been mentioned in the notice. Your lawyer can help you accumulate evidence supporting your claim and prove that you are unfit to get back to your job.

Get Legal Help!

In such crucial times, having a professional attorney by your side is of utmost importance. An attorney can help you get fair compensation and provide you with all the guidance you need with the case so that you do not get overwhelmed by the complexities of the case.