What Should I Do If I Am Re-Injured After Returning to Work?
A workplace injury can take weeks or months to heal properly. When your doctor clears you to return to work, it is important to be sure your body is actually ready for the job duties waiting for you. Going back too soon, or being pushed back into full duty before you have healed, can lead to a re-injury. This can mean more pain, more time off, and more medical expenses.
If you have been reinjured after returning to work, you do not have to handle it alone. Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney helps injured employees understand their rights and pursue the benefits they are owed after a second injury. Our team can review your case, explain your options, and help you deal with your employer and the insurance company. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss what happened and find out how we can help.
What Do I Need To Do Before Returning to Work After an Injury?
Before you return to work after a workplace injury, there are several steps you should take to protect your health and your workers’ compensation benefits.
- Ask your doctor for written restrictions on lifting, standing, bending, or other physical tasks
- Confirm that your job duties match your doctor’s restrictions
- Ask your employer for a light duty position if you are not fully healed; the law requires your doctor to review and sign off on a potential light duty job description
- Keep copies of all medical records and work restriction notes
- Report any pain or symptoms to your doctor before returning, not after
- Ask questions if you are unsure whether a task is safe for your recovery
- Notify your employer in writing if your assigned tasks exceed your restrictions
Returning to work is a big step, but it should never come before your health is ready for it.
How Returning To Work Affects Workers’ Comp Benefits
When you return to work, your workers’ compensation benefits may change depending on your job duties and pay. The table below breaks down common scenarios.
Every case is different, and your specific benefits depend on your doctor’s restrictions, your average weekly wage, and how your employer accommodates your recovery.
Why Workers Return to Work Too Soon
Many injured workers go back to their jobs before they are fully healed. This happens for a number of reasons.
- Financial pressure from lost wages and unpaid bills
- Fear of losing their job or being replaced
- Pressure from an employer or supervisor to return
- Belief that light duty work will be easier than it actually is
- Worry that workers’ compensation benefits will run out
- Misunderstanding of doctor’s restrictions or job requirements
None of these pressures should force you back to work before your treating doctor says you are ready. Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney can help you push back against unfair pressure from an employer or insurance company.
What Is Considered a Re-Injury?
A re-injury happens when an existing workplace injury gets worse, or a related injury occurs, after you have returned to work. This is different from a brand new, unrelated injury.
- Aggravation of the original injury from job duties
- A new injury to the same body part
- Strain caused by working beyond your doctor’s restrictions
- Injury caused by a light duty position that was not actually light
- Setbacks that require additional medical care or surgery
- Symptoms that return or worsen after a period of improvement
If any of these apply to you, it is important to report the re-injury right away. Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney can help you document a re-injury and file for the additional benefits you need.
What Should I Do If I am Re-Injured?
If you are re-injured after returning to work, quick action can protect your health and your claim.
- Report the re-injury to your employer immediately
- Seek medical care from your treating doctor as soon as possible
- Follow all new doctor’s restrictions closely
- Keep detailed records of symptoms, dates, and job tasks involved
- Request updated paperwork for your workers’ compensation claim
- Avoid returning to work again until your doctor approves it
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney if your employer disputes the claim
Acting fast after a re-injury helps prevent delays in your medical care and benefits. Waiting too long can give an employer or insurance company a reason to question your claim.
How Will a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me?
A workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the process of filing a new or amended claim after a re-injury. Here is how a lawyer can help.
Reviewing Your Case: An attorney will look at your original injury, your treatment history, and the circumstances of your re-injury to determine how they are connected.
Communicating With Your Employer: A lawyer can handle conversations with your employer and the insurance company, so you do not have to negotiate benefits or job duties on your own, and will make sure you do not return to work before you are ready
Filing for Additional Benefits: If your re-injury qualifies for additional benefits, an attorney will help you file the correct paperwork and meet all deadlines.
Addressing Disputes: If your employer or their insurance company denies your claim, a lawyer can help you appeal the decision and gather supporting medical evidence.
Protecting Your Job: An attorney can also help make sure your employer is not violating your rights by retaliating against you for reporting a re-injury.
If you were re-injured after returning to work, Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney can help you understand your legal options and fight for fair treatment.
Why Should I Choose Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
If you were re-injured after returning to work in North Carolina, Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney is ready to help. Our firm focuses on representing injured workers throughout North Carolina, and we understand how confusing and frustrating a re-injury can be after you already went through the workers’ compensation process once.
Our attorneys have years of experience handling workers’ compensation claims, including complex cases involving re-injury, permanent disability, and disputes with employers or insurance companies. We have helped many injured workers recover the lost wages, medical expenses, and additional benefits they were entitled to after being hurt again on the job.
Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Dedicated focus on workers’ compensation law in North Carolina
- Direct communication with clients throughout the entire claims process
- Experience negotiating with employers and insurance companies
- A track record of helping injured workers secure fair benefits
- Personalized attention for every case, no matter how complex
You should not have to manage a re-injury claim on your own while trying to recover. Let Collier Law Workers’ Compensation Attorney handle the legal work while you focus on healing. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.