Can I Work and Receive Workers Comp?

Workplace injuries affect thousands of employees every year. When an injury prevents you from performing your normal job duties, lost wages and medical bills can quickly create serious financial stress. Understanding how workers compensation works and how it affects your ability to keep working is essential after an on the job injury.

One of the questions we get asked by injured workers is: “can I still work and still receive workers comp benefits?”

The answer depends on several factors, including the severity of your injury, your doctor’s work restrictions, the type of work your employer can offer, and state workers compensation laws. In many cases, injured employees may be able to return to light duty or modified work while still receiving partial wage replacement or medical benefits.

However, returning to work too soon or accepting work outside your medical restrictions can put your benefits at risk. Speaking with an experienced workers compensation attorney can help you understand your rights, protect your income, and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to while you recover.

You Can Work And Receive Workers Comp

In the most straightforward situation, yes.

Specific variables play a factor in what your options are, such as doctor-mandated restrictions that can limit your work duties. For instance, if the doctor restricts your work, and you obtain special accommodations because of it, you have to follow those restrictions, or you may lose your benefits.

In many cases, a workplace injury can require you to change your position, which could essentially lower your income. Workers comp payments may help you supplement some of the income that you lost because of your work injury. When this happens, you can remain working, but it may limit your income compared to what you typically receive.

If you do anything to compromise the doctor’s orders, it can result in you losing your benefits. As such, it is imperative to listen to any and all advice from a doctor after your workplace injury so that you don’t risk losing out on the benefits you deserve.

Working Multiple Jobs

If you have more than one job, you and all employers must follow restrictions set forth by your doctor. One employer may not be able to change your position or provide you with reasonable accommodations. In these cases, you may not be able to work a second job. It helps to speak with a lawyer in this case to determine how workers comp benefits play a role.

Your inability to work one of the jobs can result in you receiving temporary benefits that compensate you for the missed wages.

Many injured workers may look for another job if their current employer doesn’t make the accommodations they need. One important thing to know is that accepting a new job can limit your benefits. After all, your workers’ compensation insurance is often through your employer, so changing your job can change your coverage.

How a New Job Effects a Workers Comp Claim

Finding a new job that pays you more can disqualify you from receiving temporary disability. It’s advisable to speak with a legal professional to determine what benefits you may recover and the most effective way to get through the process. You don’t want to encounter a mistake that significantly impacts your ability to obtain compensation and benefits.

At Barkhordarian Law Firm, we aim to provide you with tenacious advocacy during a time when you need it the most. Suffering a workplace injury is never easy. You should have someone on your side who knows the system, the ability to recover workers’ compensation, and the impact your job can have on your benefits.

Our Los Angeles workers comp attorneys work to provide you with the benefits you need. We’re committed to your best interests because you deserve to have someone on your side, giving you a voice against insurance companies who try to limit how much you may recover. Let us seek justice on your behalf.