Work Restrictions: What you need to know!

Our goal at Cooper Law Office is to help injured workers get the treatment they need and the compensation they desire after suffering a work injury.

What can the doctor do?

After the work injury, the employer will send you to see a doctor. The treating physician may take you off work completely, or may place temporary “light duty” restrictions on what you can do at work. If the doctor takes you off work completely you are entitled to temporary total disability or “TTD.” TTD is compensation based on two-thirds of your wages. If the doctor places restrictions on you that your employer does not accommodate, you are entitled to TTD.

What should you do?

It is important to let us know as soon as possible if the treating physician takes you off work, or places light duty restrictions on you. It is also extremely important that you keep copies of all off work/light duty slips for your file, as well as send them to our office. When you return to work please make sure that your employer/supervisor is aware of your restrictions. It is a good idea to carry a copy of the light duty restrictions while you are working so you can avoid any confusion with your employer if problems arise.

What if the employer gives you work that exceeds your work restrictions?

If the work assigned to you exceeds your work restrictions, you have a right to refuse to perform that work and should advise the employer that the work you are being asked to do is outside your restrictions. If the employer continues to insist that you work in excess of restrictions and you suffer pain or discomfort, please contact our office, and also contact your treating physician for an appointment. You will need to carefully explain to the doctor what happened and what pain you suffered. Its not a bad idea to write down notes immediately after the work incident.

If you have an additional questions please give us a call at 785-233-9988