The idea of returning to work after suffering an injury can bring feelings of excitement and angst. If your injury happened while at work, the thought of returning to your place of employment can cause you to feel overwhelmed and emotional.
Your employer can support your transition back into the workplace. In fact, a well-rounded workers’ compensation plan will provide resources to facilitate your return to work and help you regain independence once again.
Your disability and your job
If your injury has created ongoing disabilities that prevent you from undertaking your original obligations, you may need accommodations or a different set of responsibilities altogether. According to the Department of Labor, your employer should aid you in assessing your ability to work.
If you cannot resume your prior duties, your employer should look for alternative positions for you. If there are not any, they should provide you with a list of options to help you make an informed decision about your employment going forward. They may also point you in the direction of resources to help you rebuild your skills and learn how to work with your new disability.
Establishing wage-earning capacity
Once you have resumed working, even if it requires modifications, regular assessments of your progress can help establish your wage-earning capacity. This data provides vital information in determining to what extent your workers’ compensation benefits will continue.
If you are currently receiving other financial support such as Social Security Disability benefits, you will need to give them this information as well so they can assess your eligibility to continue to receive benefits as you transition back into the workplace.