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Last Updated on October 16, 2021 by Work In My Pajamas
Getting back to work after an accident is everyone’s ultimate goal after getting hurt; especially if the accident was work-related. While in recovery, the financial expenses you incur may outweigh the benefits you receive through the workers’ comp program. This can lead to a strong desire to return to work prematurely; however, as Louthian Law knows, a person returning to work after an accident before a full recovery risks reinjury.
Returning to work after an accident is fulfilling since you will have a chance to make money and get your life back to normal. However, spending time at home while recovering puts you on a different routine that is difficult to change after recovery. All in all, wait until you fully recover before getting back to work.
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How Do You Successfully Return to Work after Recovering from an Injury?
Workers’ compensation benefits help workers to return to work. The bills you incur while away from work may steadily increase and push you to return to work faster than you should. Despite this, ensure the transition does not hinder your progress with recovery.
Getting back to work after treatment for a personal injury presents you with a lot of restrictions. However, there are different tips you can apply to make the transition effective. Here are the tips you can use to return to work after recovering from a personal injury:
1. Follow Your Physician’s Advice
After medication and rest, you may feel okay and want to return to work. However, your doctor may think otherwise according to their assessment and diagnosis. Follow your doctor’s recommendations because they know best regarding your health.
Following the advice and recommendations of your physician protects you from further injuring yourself once you get back to work. Do not undo any progress you have made because you need to go back to work.
2. Constantly Communicate with Your Employer
Although the law allows you to be away from work to undergo recovery, communicate with your employer. Inform them of your progress with your recovery and any doctor’s recommendations that will affect executing your duties. It will enable them to make arrangements early enough for you to return to work.
Although you communicate with your employer, resist their pressure urging you to return to work before getting better.
3. Only Go Back when You Are Ready
The accident may negatively impact your physical and mental health. As you focus on physical health, be mindful of your mental state. The accident may have resulted in traumatic stress that needs extra time to clear before going back to work.
The comp benefits you receive may not be enough to cover all recovery expenses pushing you to resume work early. Focus on getting better first because good health will enable you to be more productive once you get back to work.
4. Request Light Duty
Although you are in good health, your doctor may recommend that you avoid some activities as your body adjusts from recovery. Additionally, you may need to work shorter hours and rest more. In addition to communicating this in advance with your employer, ask for light duty to avoid reinjuring yourself.
5. Know What to Do in Case You Reinjure Yourself
The experience of an accident educates you on safety measures to take in case of an injury. However, accidents may still happen and cause injury. At least you know what to do and what documents to submit if you get into another work accident.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
An accident may cause you pain and suffering, but there is hope that you will get better. After undergoing medical treatment and getting cleared by a doctor, follow the above tips to facilitate your effective return to work. Take care not to reinjure yourself at work.
Last year, I had to leave work for 2 months due to anxiety. Although it wasn’t an accident that got me there, it was a big situation, and getting back to work was certainly one of the hardest things. Thank you for these, I will keep these tips in mind.