Workers’ Comp And Return-To-Work-Issues

If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, it is normal that your employer will make every effort to assist you in returning to work. You may be given a restricted duty assignment until you recover enough to return to your regular job. If this is stressful for you, at the law firm of Hedberg & Boulton, P.C., in Des Moines, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can communicate directly with your doctors in order to protect your long-term interests.

Know Your Rights Under Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation Laws

If you refuse to accept a temporary restricted duty assignment, your compensation benefits may be suspended. Your employer, however, cannot simply force you to work in any job. Your employer must offer you work that is suitable for you. That includes not only respecting your work restrictions, but also other factors, including the location of the work, avoiding interference with your medical care plan and making sure your ability to care for your family is not compromised, in addition to many other considerations.

Your ultimate goal should be to continue to earn a paycheck while not risking further injury. If you feel pressured to return to work before you are ready, however, or if you are asked to tackle assignments that put you at risk, you should contact our experienced attorneys to discuss your return-to-work-issues.

First-Hand Experience In Temporary Disability Case

Often, an employer pressures a worker to return to work before the employee feels fully capable. Injured employees may be invited back for “light duty work” and then asked to lift more than they should or risk further injury.

After your injury, it is important to communicate openly with your doctor about how you are feeling. It is also important to contact a workers’ compensation attorney if you are being asked to do more at work than you are capable of doing.

Your doctor will be a key figure in determining your readiness to return to work. Unfortunately, the doctor you use will likely be on a list of physicians provided by your employer. Because the doctor is essentially working for your employer, he or she may feel pressured to get you back to work sooner rather than later.

We Are Committed To Protecting Your Rights

We know the laws and understand your rights when it comes to returning to work. Often, just retaining representation from an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer is enough to settle your disputes over medical care or to get your employer to stop pressuring you. If necessary, however, we will obtain copies of all medical reports so we can watch for likely problems and address them before they get out of control.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today

Send us an email or call our office at 888-773-8531 to schedule a free appointment and get more information regarding your rights and responsibilities when returning to work in Iowa after an injury.

We add value to your case. We work on a contingency or percentage fee basis. This means you will not owe us money unless we recover benefits for you.