After an initial work injury, your doctor might put you on light-duty work. This is supposed to make it easier to go back to work, while protecting your recovery along the way. But what happens if you get hurt again, while on light-duty work? Are you allowed additional coverage for the new injury, or an aggravating of your existing injury. You are protected under California’s workers’ comp laws, but navigating the claim can get very complicated without an attorney to help.
At Ratto Law Firm, P.C., our California workers’ compensation attorneys help you understand how light-duty work impacts your rights and how to receive compensation for any new injury.
Light-Duty Work and Your Rights Under California Workers’ Compensation
Light-duty work occurs after you were initially hurt. The doctors orders that you can work, but that your duties should be modified to make it less dangerous for you. These might include restrictions on:
- Bending
- Lifting
- Standing
- Repetitive motions
- Exposure to certain environments
- Other limitations
These modified tasks help you get back to work sooner, while still protecting your health.
However, just because you accept light-duty work doesn’t mean you waive your workers’ compensation rights. If you are injured while on light-duty work, you should still earn the benefits you’re entitled to. If your light-duty assignment causes a new injury, aggravates your existing injury, or leads to a cumulative trauma condition, you can file a new claim or reopen your existing one.
Common Ways Workers Are Injured During Light-Duty Assignments
Even on light-duty work, you face the risks of continuing to work. Some common scenarios include:
- Being assigned tasks that technically meet restrictions but still strain the injured body part
- Repetitive motions that harm a healing injury
- Slips, trips, or falls in the workplace
- Overexertion due to unclear or improperly communicated restrictions
- Being pressured to perform tasks outside your doctor’s limitations
If you were hurt while on light-duty, you could still be entitled to compensation for that new injury.
What Benefits Are Available if You’re Injured on Light-Duty?
If you suffer a new injury or aggravation while on modified duty, you may qualify for the same benefits available for any work-related injury in California, including:
Medical Treatment
You are still covered for all necessary and reasonable medical care. This is true whether it is a new injury or an aggravation of one. This can include:
- Physical therapy
- Doctor visits
- Diagnostic testing
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other medical costs
Temporary Disability Benefits
If your newest injury means you can’t work, you could be eligible for temporary disability payments. They help replace part of your lost wages as you recover.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If your light-duty injury causes a permanent impairment, you could be owed permanent disability compensation.
Job Displacement Benefits
If your employer cannot offer permanent modified or alternative work after your recovery, you may qualify for a Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) voucher to help you retrain for a new career.
What If Your Employer Pressures You to Do More Than Your Restrictions Allow?
Unfortunately, some employers push injured workers to “help out” with tasks that exceed their medical restrictions. This is dangerous—and illegal. Your employer must follow your doctor’s restrictions exactly. If you are injured because you were pressured or required to perform prohibited tasks, the injury is still covered by workers’ compensation.
Document any such pressure immediately. These details can be important evidence if the insurance company disputes your claim.
Steps to Take If You’re Injured While on Light-Duty
Taking the right steps early can protect your benefits:
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- Request a DWC-1 claim form and complete it promptly
- Seek medical treatment and ensure your doctor documents how the injury occurred
- Follow all medical restrictions and avoid tasks outside your limitations
- Keep copies of all paperwork
- Keep all conversations or communications
- Consider speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney if your claim is denied or disputed
Seek the Advice of Experienced Legal Counsel if You Were Hurt While on Light-Duty
Injuries while on light-duty work make things more complicated, but you are still entitled to protections under California workers’ comp laws. We understand how to navigate the complexities of your case and provide comprehensive representation along the way.
Our team at Ratto Law Firm, P.C. provides you with the advice and representation you need. Contact us today for a consultation.