It’s important to not rush back to work after an injury. We understand that you need to get back to your pre-injury income, and back to your routine, but if you return too soon you risk re-injury or a related injury. Further injury could set back your recovery and keep you out of work much longer.
So how soon can you return to work? We recommend following the advice of your doctor. Talk to them about the job duties you perform and whether you are ready to go back. They may advise you to return to work but with certain restrictions. These restrictions might limit the tasks you can perform, and you might not be able to go back to your full job. In some cases, your employer might offer you a completely different job to do during this time.
If you don’t follow your doctor’s restrictions, and you re-injure yourself, your benefits could be at risk. If it’s determined that you purposely ignored the doctor’s recommendations, you could lose your wage loss benefits. In some cases, your employer may not have a job available that complies with your medical restrictions. You do not have to return to that job if that’s the case. However, if a job is available, and you do not take it, then you can lose benefits.
If the job you can do with restrictions pays less than the job you had pre-injury, there are wage loss benefits you should be able to collect. This is called wage differential, and it’s for a portion of the difference between your current wage and your pre-injury wage.
Going back to work after an injury is a step that you shouldn’t take lightly. Talk to your doctor and your attorney to protect your health and your benefits.
We are workers’ compensation attorneys who help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.