How To Plan a Safe Return to Work Following Injury
There is no such thing as a “good” workplace injury. However, a minor injury that lets you return to work the next day is certainly more desirable than an injury that will keep you off the job for weeks, if not months. If you’ve filed a claim with your company’s workers’ compensation, there will be limits to how long you can stay off the job and still be paid your missing salary. That doesn’t mean you will be forced to go back to the job before you’re ready.
It is important for you to plan a safe return to work following an injury. The following tips are an excellent guide to follow for your return back to the job:
Get Your Doctor’s Approval
You should not go back to work until your doctor has given you approval in a written report. It is essential that you get that clearance because you don’t want to risk reinjuring yourself. It is also important to follow all of your doctor’s prescribed treatments. For instance, your doctor might prescribe you ten sessions of physical therapy. You could feel better after 7 sessions and think you don’t need to go back. However, it is better to complete the entire course of therapy.
Depending on which state you filed your workers’ compensation claim, you might need to file a Notice of Ability to Return to Work. You’ll file this document with the appropriate Workers’ Compensation Commission and your employer.
Communicate With Your Employer
You must keep your employer or supervisor informed about your recovery progress. This will help protect your medical, financial, and legal interests. It is also helpful to them to know what type of ongoing adjustments have to be made to the workflow. These updates should also include any potential restrictions you might have when you return to work. Again, it is all about supporting the job and your interests.
When you get back to work, you’ll want to continue communicating with your employer about your progress back on the job. This communication should be formalized in emails as opposed to just telling them that you’re feeling fine. It is also vital that you document any complications.
Document Any Restrictions
Your return to work might involve restrictions on the type of tasks you can perform. These restrictions would be prescribed by your doctor. For example, if your job involves heavy lifting or standing for long periods of time, you might have to reduce what you can lift or how long you can stand until you are fully recovered. Again, these restrictions need to be submitted in writing to your employer.
Go Slow
Before you head back to your job, you want to ensure you feel up to the task. Even though your doctor has cleared you for work, getting you up to full speed might take time. It is crucial that you listen to what your body is telling you. It might also help to follow these additional tips:
- Start with shorter shifts
- Go with lighter workloads
- Follow doctor’s orders for your level of exertion
- When at home, prioritize sleep and rest
- If you are involved with lifting, you’ll want to get into a new habit of stretching before exerting yourself.
- Take breaks when needed
Ask For Help
Diving back into work too fast can cause a setback for your health. That could also affect your ability to continue working. Depending on the severity of your injury, there might also be some stress associated with the place where you were injured. All of this means that if you need help to make the transition back to work, you should ask for it from your coworkers and supervisors.
There might also be an issue with returning to the same job that you had before. There could be options to transition into a new position at your job. Some states offer occupational therapy as part of their workers’ compensation program. That could provide training for a new type of job. There might also be salary benefits associated with a new job if you are making less money than in your previous jobs.
Before you return to work, you could also be receiving workers’ compensation benefits. If there are any complications with those benefits, you need to get help from the kind of experienced attorneys you’ll find at Thomas Law Offices. We have successfully helped many clients receive the maximum workers’ compensation insurance benefits. We also provide you with a wide range of resources about workers’ compensation. Getting legal counsel can bring you peace of mind, and that will help you heal.