After being injured at work, you might come to rely on workers’ compensation benefits to offset your lost wages and pay for your medical care. While securing these benefits can be difficult in some instances, maintaining them can be just as challenging. In fact, insurance companies often try to rush injured individuals back to work so that they can stop paying them workers’ compensation benefits. And your desire to be a productive member of society and to not be defined by your injuries may tempt you to go along with the recommendations made by your employer’s insurance company. But don’t be so quick to return to work.
Going back to work too quickly after a workplace accident carries several risks. Let’s look at some of the most significant.
The risks of returning to work too soon after an on-the-job-injury
If you cave into the insurance company’s demands without pushing back, then you could wind up placing yourself in a predicament. Here are some of the negative consequences you could experience if you go back to work too early:
- Cessation of your workers’ compensation benefits: This is why the insurance company wants to get you back to work. But if you still need money for medical care or you don’t think you can return to work full-time, then you shouldn’t be so quick to jump back into work. Being agreeable with the insurance company only furthers their interests, not yours.
- Exacerbation of your injuries: Even if your recovery is on the upswing, heading back to work too quickly could stall your recovery and cause it to reverse course. As a result, you could reverse all the progress you’ve made or even cause your condition to worsen to the point that it becomes permanent.
- Missed restrictions: Most injured individuals who return to work do so with certain limitations in place meant to protect them from additional injury. If you agree with your employer’s insurance company, though, they may try to push you back into a position that you’re not ready for, which can put you at an increased risk of discomfort and pain at work, as well as new injuries or exacerbation of existing injuries.
What should you do if the insurance company is pressuring you to return to work?
First, slow down. You don’t have to give them an answer right away. You need time to fully assess your circumstances so that you can decide what’s right for you. Then, you might want to obtain a second medical opinion if the insurance company’s position is based on a physician’s clearing you to work. Be sure to clearly articulate how your injuries and your recovery are still affecting your ability to perform certain tasks. You’ll need to be honest here, though. So, if you think that you can perform light office work, then be sure to tell your medical examiner as much.
Prevent your employer from taking control of your workplace injury recovery
It’s up to you to advocate for your interests after being injured at work. While the workers’ compensation system gives you a forum to do so, it’s not always going to be friendly to you. That’s why you need to be prepared to fight to protect your interests and the effectiveness of your recovery. If you want to learn more about how to do that, then please continue to read our blog for more information.
