What if the doctor releases me to light duty? You must accept light work if it is offered. If you do not accept the offered light duty, your employer may stop all compensation as long as you refuse to return to work.
You have a right to a hearing if you believe that you are not able to do the work assigned to you.
Sometimes an employer will bring back an injured employee part-time. This happens many times when the doctor states that the employee can go back to work, but for only a few hours a day. If this happens, you still are entitled to full pay. The employer can pay you for the time worked and the workers’ compensation insurance carrier will send you a check for the difference in what you were making on temporary total disability payments while you were not working and what you are making while you are back at work part-time. It is important that as long as you are on doctor’s restrictions, you should be paid your full compensation rate.
If you return to light work before you are fully discharged by the doctor at a wage less than you were earning at the time of your original injury, you are entitled to weekly compensation at the rate of 66 2/3% of the difference between your average weekly wage and your new wage.
Each workers’ compensation case is different and each offer of light duty is different. It is best to get the advice of an experienced workers compensation attorney. If you have any questions about your return to light duty or your payments while on light duty, please call Venus Poe at (864) 963-0310 or fill out this form and we will contact you. Consultations are always free and confidential.