Workers in Florida can get hurt due to minor mistakes, wet floors or equipment malfunctions. In many cases, employees can count on assistance from the workers’ compensation program when they cannot work due to injuries or illnesses caused by their employment.
Workers’ compensation benefits pay for necessary medical treatment. Workers can also receive disability benefits if they need to take time away from work. Disability benefits can compensate someone for up to two-thirds of their average weekly wages while they are unable to work.
When does an injured worker typically return to work after filing a workers’ compensation claim?
When their condition improves
The majority of job-acquired medical challenges are temporary health issues. A worker who breaks their arm could return to work once their injury is stable in some cases or after the bone knits in others. The nature of the injury, the type of work someone performs and the ability of their employer to accommodate their injury can all influence when a worker returns to work.
Typically, an employee who has fully recovered can return to work immediately. Their benefits end as soon as they are able to return to gainful employment. Other times, a worker’s condition may only improve to a certain point. Repetitive strain injuries, for example, might continue to present mild symptoms even after treatment.
A doctor may determine that they have achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI) and that future treatment is unlikely to yield significant improvement in their condition. At that point, the worker may need to return to work with certain accommodations. If they cannot return to their original job, then they may need to seek a different position and look into permanent partial disability coverage.
Workers trying to recover from a significant injury on the job may disagree with the determination that they have reached MMI or are ready to return to work. They may need a second opinion in some cases to continue receiving the support they require. Other times, they may need to appeal a decision to end their benefits or other unfavorable determinations.
Appealing a workers’ compensation claim or challenging the determination of a physician can be a difficult process. Injured workers often need assistance if they hope to maximize the benefits that they receive and their chances of achieving a full medical recovery.