How Do I Return to Work after an Injury?

An injury that you suffer while on the job can leave you in severe pain and in need of medical treatment and rehabilitation. By getting the treatment you need as soon as possible after your injury, you increase the likelihood of returning to work in a timely manner and avoiding financial losses.

If you suffered injuries while you were working at your job – and while performing a job duty – you may be eligible to make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. A skilled work injury lawyer in your area can discuss the circumstances of your accident with you and determine if you are eligible to file a benefit claim. If you are, your lawyer can assist you with each step of the claims-filing process and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Determining When You are Ready to Return to Work

On-the-job injuries can leave an accident victim in pain and unable to work for a period of time. The length of time that an accident victim needs to be offered work depends upon several factors, including the type of accident and the nature and extent of the individual’s injuries.

If you suffer an on-the-job injury, there are several individuals who will work with you directly to assist with determining when it’s safe to return to work. Those individuals include:

  • The medical provider who is treating you for your accident-related injuries
  • The claims administrator from the insurance company
  • Your employer, including work supervisors and those in upper management
  • Your lawyer

To avoid miscommunications, it is essential that all of these individuals remain in close contact throughout the entirety of your workers’ compensation claim.

In addition, you should speak with all of these individuals about the work that you did before your on-the-job injury, your current medical condition, the type of work you are able to perform now, the type of work your employer could have you do, and whether or not your job duties are subject to change while you continue your recovery. For instance, an employer might be able to place you on ‘light duty’ work while you continue recovering from your accident-related injuries. Moreover, your employer has an incentive to get you back to work as soon as possible.

Disagreements about Rights to Benefits

Sometimes over the course of a workers’ compensation claim, a dispute will arise about a treating doctor’s reports regarding your claimed injuries and medical treatment. When those disputes arise, one of two events may occur:

  • A qualified medical evaluator (QME) may evaluate you
  • Your lawyer and the insurance claims administrator might call upon an agreed medical evaluator (AME) to resolve the dispute

Your lawyer will help you select the option which best serves your claim’s interests.

Call a Work Injury Lawyer about Your Legal Matter Today

If you suffered an injury while you were on the job performing a job-related duty, you may be entitled to various benefits. A knowledgeable Garden Grove worker’s compensation lawyer in your area can help you pursue and recover the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, suffering, and inconvenience.