A businessman on crutches returns to his job after a workplace injury

Before you can decide whether you should return to work after a work-related accident you will need information from your doctor. The doctor who is treating your for your work-related accident will examine you and make a determination. That determination may be that:

  • You can go back to your job with no restrictions.
  • You can go back to your job as long as certain restrictions are in place.
  • You can do other work—with or without restrictions.
  • You cannot go back to work at this time.

Following your doctor’s orders and going back to work will not end your workers’ compensation case. Iowa Workers’ Compensation Law requires you to accept work that is suitable for you, given your disability. If you refuse the suitable work, then your workers’ compensation benefits may end.

What Is Suitable?

Many factors go in to determining whether a particular placement is suitable. Things that must be considered include:

  • Your injuries.
  • Whether the work will interfere with your medical treatment.
  • Whether you are qualified to do the work.
  • How far the job is from your home.

Before you go back to work it is important to talk to your doctor about your restrictions and to get those restrictions in writing. Bring a copy of the restrictions with you when you report to work and present them to your supervisor.

If you believe that going back to work—either to your old job or a job with other duties—will cause you further physical pain or interfere with your physical recovery, then you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer immediately. Additionally, if your supervisor is unwilling to comply with the restrictions set forth by your doctor, then you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer.

Iowa workers’ compensation law encourages workers to go back to work that they can do, but you shouldn’t have to do so at the expense of your health. If you have any questions about what you should do, please call us immediately or start a live chat on this website. We would be pleased to provide you with a free consultation about your rights and with more tips about how to protect your workers’ compensation claim.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.