- Light Duty Work: The Rules for Returning to Work in PA Your doctor says you can return to work, but with certain restrictions. Your employer then offers you a “light-duty” job that fits those restrictions. You may be wondering if you have to accept it. This video will explain the rules around light-duty work in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation and the consequences of refusing a legitimate job offer.
- Accepting a Legitimate Offer: We’ll explain that if your doctor has released you to light-duty work, you generally must accept a legitimate job offer from your employer that falls within your medical restrictions.
- What is a “Legitimate” Offer? We’ll clarify that a job offer is legitimate if:
- It is within your doctor’s restrictions.
- It is a real job, not just a temporary or fake position.
- The employer has a signed release from your doctor.
- The Consequence of Refusal: We’ll explain the serious consequences of refusing a legitimate light-duty job offer. The insurance company can file a petition to suspend your benefits, and a Workers’ Compensation Judge will likely approve it. This means you will lose your wage loss payments.
- How a Lawyer Can Help: We’ll highlight the role of a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer in this situation. An attorney can help by:
- Reviewing the job offer to ensure it is legitimate and within your restrictions.
- Advising you on how to respond to the offer.
- Challenging the offer if it is not legitimate or safe for you to perform.
This video is for any injured worker in Pennsylvania who has been offered a light-duty job and wants to know their rights and responsibilities.