Skip to main content Can I still receive workers’ compensation benefits if I return to work?
When you suffer an injury at work, it will likely result in many financial and personal difficulties. Depending on the type of work injury you experienced, you may face mounting medical bills and be unable to earn an income.
Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance benefits can help you cover the costs. Most employees across the country are eligible for these earned benefits in the event of an on-the-job accident or injury.
But what happens if you are well enough to start working again? You may wonder, “Can I still receive workers’ compensation benefits if I return to work?” If you find yourself asking this question, read on.
When you think you have a valid workers’ compensation benefits claim, it is critical to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Reach out to the accomplished legal team at America’s largest tort firm — Morgan & Morgan.
Our lawyers will gladly provide you with a no-cost and no-obligation case evaluation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim. Complete the simple contact form to schedule your free consultation.
When Should You Return to Work Following an Injury?
When you receive compensation for a workplace accident, you may be unable to perform your previous job function. Injuries often prevent employees from returning to work for extended periods.
Many different injuries can happen in the workplace. The type of damage you sustain will depend, in part, on the nature of your work. Some of the most common workplace injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal and back injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Bruising and scarring
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Disfigurement and burn injuries
No matter what type of injury you have experienced, your priority should be your physical health and well-being. You should never prioritize your job performance over your own recovery.
When you are considering whether to return to work after an accident or injury, follow the advice of your healthcare provider. You should not risk your own health because your employer is pressuring you to return to work.
The overseeing doctor will determine when you have recovered enough to return to work. The doctor’s estimate could shift depending on your recovery status. If the physician recommends more time away from work, you should inform your employer immediately.
When injured workers return to their jobs before they should, they risk the possibility of sustaining further physical or mental damage. Returning to work without the approval of a certified medical professional could affect the amount of workers’ compensation that you receive.
Those who return to work before the benefit payments have expired may forfeit the remainder of the compensation that they are owed. Disability benefits, for instance, are only applicable when you cannot work.
If you have questions about when to return to work following an on-the-job injury, consult the trustworthy workers’ compensation lawyers at Morgan & Morgan. Our team will review your case and help you protect the benefits you deserve.
How do You Understand Reasonable Accommodations?
If your workplace injury results in permanent or temporary disabilities, your employer may be required to provide you with certain accommodations. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), companies must provide “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities who were injured in the workplace.
Employers may be required to provide several categories of reasonable accommodations. They are:
- Restructuring of job functions
- Unpaid leave or accrued paid leave
- Shifts in working schedules
- Assignment to another professional position
- Changes in workplace policies
In most cases, injured employees must reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before returning to work. But your doctor may suggest that you begin work with accommodations from your employer.
This could also affect the amount of workers’ compensation that you receive. Speak with an attorney to understand the best course of action after being injured at work.
How Does Morgan & Morgan Handle Legal Fees?
Our compassionate legal professionals understand that injured workers often face financial hardships. For this reason, our firm will not charge you a penny unless we successfully recover money for you.
The skilled lawyers at Morgan & Morgan are compensated using a contingency fee payment structure. This means that when you hire one of our legal representatives, we will represent you for an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery from your case.
In other words, you will not pay anything unless we settle or win your case. You should not hire a legal professional who requires payment before taking your case.
A contingency fee payment structure guarantees that your lawyer is working diligently in your best interests. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys fight to recover maximum compensation for all our clients.
What Costs Do Workers’ Compensation Benefit Payments Cover?
Workers’ compensation benefits do not cover all the losses injured employees may experience. Instead, these earned benefit payments are intended to cover direct monetary losses resulting from the workplace injury.
This includes:
- Current medical care costs
- Ongoing or in-home care
- Lost wages and foregone income from missed work
- Permanent or temporary disability
To determine what your workers’ compensation benefits should cover, speak with a knowledgeable attorney at Morgan & Morgan.
Premier Representation Through Morgan and Morgan
When you need the best civil representation in the nation, reach out to the accomplished experts at Morgan & Morgan. Since our founding, we have fought diligently for injured workers.
Do not hesitate. Complete the easy-to-use online form to arrange a free initial meeting with one of our trustworthy legal specialists.
