Does workers' compensation end upon returning to work?

Relying on workers' compensation can be unsettling. If you are receiving these payments, it is because you were injured seriously enough at work to prevent or inhibit your ability to do your job. That is a serious matter to contend with. It can be equally unnerving to return to work but not able to completely do your old job. This begs the question, what happens to those payments if you go back to work?

Workers' compensation is designed to do more than just replace your wages. It must also pay for your medical care and any vocational training you may need to get another job. These payments do much more than replace the check that your employer used to send you. So, what happens to those payments if you are offered your old job with reduced hours or a new one because you can't do your old job? Do you have to take the new job? Or can you wait until you heal up more?

Workers' compensation is generally divided into two, rough kinds of payments: partial and total disability. Partial disability is given when you are still able to work, just not to the same degree as before. It replaces a percentage of your income. On the other hand, total payments are designed to replace your income because you are unable to work due to your injury.

If you are offered this choice, then you may want to consult with an employment law attorney. Typically, this means that your payments may be reduced to reflect the new income source you are receiving. However, the reduction will reflect the percentage of your new income. It should not be an arbitrary number, so theoretically there should be no change in your ability to access medical care or anything else.

If you were hurt while on the job, then you might want to speak with an employment law attorney. Understanding whether or not you are total or partially disabled can be complicated. It depends upon the nature of your job, the extent of your injuries and ability to recover. Workers' compensation is designed to protect you should you be too injured to work, so you don't need to worry.