When you get injured at your workplace, your workers’ compensation benefits can cover your damages. Some injuries take time to heal, but you can eventually return to your job. However, some severe injuries can permanently impact your life, and you may not be able to return to the same job position again.
Your doctor can analyze your physical and cognitive abilities and recommend the types of jobs that you can do. You might be able to change your job while still receiving your workers’ compensation benefits. To know more about the process and have a solid legal representation, contact The Walthew Law Firm.
Can you start working for another company while receiving workers’ compensation from your old employer?
According to the law, you are legally allowed to change your job at any given time, even when you are receiving workers’ compensation from your current employer. You still need to obey the laws and any contracts you may have signed with your employer. However, if you are considering changing jobs in the middle of workers’ compensation, there are a few points you must understand.
- Your employer cannot discontinue the benefits if you decide to change jobs.
- Your benefits should not be affected if you do light work because of your injuries.
- Your benefits cannot be canceled because you decide to take a lesser-paying job.
However, it is important to understand how it may affect your overall benefits before you change jobs. For example, your workers’ compensation benefits won’t be affected, but you may no longer receive your weekly pay or “lost wages” damages once you change jobs. Therefore, even if you do not receive the whole, you can still receive a partial percentage.
Things to consider before starting a new job
While you are allowed to take up a new job while you are still recovering, there are certain factors you should consider. You may have some personal reasons for starting work before you completely heal but ignoring the downsides may cost you later.
- Starting work before your injuries have fully healed can put you at risk of injury or aggravating existing ones.
- Returning to work before your injuries have fully healed can interfere with your recovery process. You may not even be able to recover if you do not rest enough.
However, your employer is not required to hold the job position for you to come back and start working again. They can hire another person in your absence. Therefore, considering other options might be helpful.
Contact an attorney today.
