Workers Compensation Return To Work Policy

An injury on the job means you’ll have to spend some time at home recovering. But if you’re having trouble going back to work, you may need a lawyer to walk you through your employer’s workers compensation return to work policy. These policies can be complicated, but the team at Hickey & Turim, S.C. can help. Read on to learn more about workplace injury recovery policies, and contact us today to get started.

Workers Compensation Return To Work Policy

Every company has their own policy for returning to work after an injury. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that your job will still be waiting for you if you had to take an extended leave of absence. However, if your employer refuses to rehire you, you may be able to seek compensation to make up for your lost wages.

You can also file a claim for lack of earning capacity if your injuries were serious enough. This primarily applies to injuries to the head, neck, and back. If it turns out that your employer can no longer accommodate your reduced mobility after this type of accident, you and your workers compensation return to work policy lawyer can fight to get you some much-needed financial coverage.

There’s also the matter of retraining claims. In certain cases, your work-related injuries may prevent you from working in your previous profession. Your employer may be on the hook for retraining fees – educational expenses that will serve to get you a job with a similar paycheck in a completely different field.

Workers comp reintegration plans can be complicated, and the last thing you want is to stress over your next steps when you’re just trying to focus on recovery. Your legal team can help you avoid any major pitfalls, as long as you reach out to them on time. Just make sure you contact an experienced team in the first place.

Why Experience Matters In Return To Work Policy Cases

If you need help figuring out your employer’s workplace accommodation and return policy, Hickey & Turim, S.C. can walk you through the specifics. Here’s how our experience sets us apart from the competition:

• We have over 70 years of combined experience. We know our way around return to work policies, and we can help you seek compensation after your accident.
• We’ve won over $100 million for our clients. The numbers speak for themselves, but we know it’s not always about the money. We treat our clients like people, not paychecks.
• Our firm has a broad range of practice areas, including workers’ comp claims and construction accident cases. We’ll find the overlap, and use it to your advantage.

If you’ve been hurt on the job, it doesn’t meant you’re out of the workforce forever. The team at Hickey & Turim, S.C. is ready to help you get back on the job – or get the money you need to rebuild your future.

Contact Us Today

At Hickey & Turim, S.C., we know that a workplace accident can put you in a tough financial spot. Get in touch with us today, and see what a workers compensation return to work policy lawyer from our team can do for you.

It is extremely important that you follow the recommendations and restrictions of YOUR doctor when returning to work from a worker’s compensation claim. Call now if you have questions regarding temporary restrictions, permanent restrictions, or light duty.

Does my employer have to rehire me once I can return to work?

Unfortunately, no. Your employer is not required to hold a position open or create a new position once you are released back to work. With that being said, if your employer refuses to rehire you, without reasonable cause, you may be eligible for compensation of wages lost during that period of refusal. Keep in mind that suitable employment must be available.

Q: If I can’t return to work because of my injury, what happens?

Different avenues are available to individuals that are not able to return to their job because of the injury they suffered at work. The first avenue is known as “Loss of Earning Capacity.” If you have an injury to your head, neck, back, or “body as a whole,” this avenue may be available to you.

Loss of Earning Capacity

Loss of earning capacity: If you suffer a work injury to your head, neck, back, or “body as a whole” AND your employer is unable to accommodate your restrictions (i.e. the employer does not have a job for you anymore), you may have a loss of earning capacity claim. Loss of earning capacity involves an injured worker receiving compensation because he or she cannot return to their previous job. Take for example a person who works for a construction company and hurts their back. Let’s also say this person makes $20 per hour. If this person is unable to return to their job as a construction worker because the company cannot accommodate their restrictions, he or she may have a loss of earning capacity claim. Note that additional factors come into play, such as wage, education, and age. If you have questions about “loss of earning capacity,” please feel free to contact our office during normal business hours.

The second avenue is known as “Retraining.” If you have an injury to your shoulder(s), elbow(s), hip(s), wrist(s), hand(s), knee(s), or feet, this avenue may be available to you.

Retraining

Retraining: If you suffer a work injury to your shoulder(s), elbow(s), hip(s), wrist(s), hand(s), knee(s), or feet AND your employer is unable to accommodate your restrictions (i.e. the employer does not have a job for you anymore), you may have a retraining claim. Retraining involves an injured worker going to school so that they can “restore” their previous earning capacity. Take for example a person who works for a construction company and hurts their knee. Let’s also say that this person makes $20 per hour. If this person is unable to return to their job as a construction worker because the company cannot accommodate their restrictions, he or she may have a retraining claim. Note that additional factors come into play, such as wage, education, and age. If you have questions about “retraining,” please feel free to contact our office during normal business hours.

What should I do if my claim is denied?

If your Workers’ Compensation claim has been denied, it is extremely important that you fill out our free evaluation form or call 262-797-6677 and talk to us at Hickey & Turim immediately. Contáctanos inmediatemente para una consulta gratuita; hablamos español!