When you have been injured at the workplace, you may feel an urgency to get back to work as soon as possible. It is understandable, and being out of work can be stressful financially. But can you return to work if you are recovering from surgery? Who approves such a return to the office?
The determination as to whether you can return to work after your surgery involves input from several different people, including your doctor, your employer, the claims administrator, and your workers’ compensation attorney. Among the factors that will be addressed is the type of work you performed before your injury and what work you may do now. Your primary physician will send a report to your employer’s claims administrator regarding your medical condition and whether you can return to work.
Work Restrictions
After your shoulder surgery, if your doctor gives you the green light to return to work, they may specify limits on your job duties while you are recovering. Known as “work restrictions,” these limits must be based on input from both you and your employer regarding the demands and activities required for this job.
Work restrictions are designed to protect you from further injury. They may include restrictions on lifting, changes in your schedule, special equipment, or working conditions that are required during your recovery period. Any work assigned to you by your employer must meet these restrictions. If your employer determines that work that meets these restrictions is unavailable, you may not be required to work.
No Work Restrictions
If your primary physician determines that you may return to work without any restrictions, then your employer must give you the same job and pay that you had before your workplace injury, and your employer can require you to accept the job.
Protecting the Rights of Injured Workers in Southern California
When you have been harmed at the workplace, understanding your rights under workers’ compensation laws can be confusing. And not all employers respect the rights of those who have been injured at work. Accident Defenders protects the rights of injured workers in Southern California and is dedicated to recovering compensation for their workplace injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of the skilled workers’ compensation attorneys at Accident Defenders, contact our office at 323-818-HURT or 323-591-2929 or online.