After being placed on restrictions for workers’ compensation, it might be challenging to know what you can and cannot do. Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to look for a new job, or you simply wish to find a new one. If you want to look for a new job while on restrictions, there are a few things that you should consider before taking any significant further steps.
Experienced Workers’ Compensation Representation in Minnesota
The workers’ compensation process can be difficult to understand. When going through the workers’ compensation process, it is crucial that you have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help you along the way. A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer understands the laws, rules, and regulations to help you complete your workers’ compensation claim and get the payments and support you need. The 612-INJURED workers’ compensation attorneys understand the workers’ compensation process and are ready to help you get the assistance you need. To learn more or schedule your initial case consultation, call us at (612) 465-8733.
Looking for New Work While on Workers’ Compensation Restrictions
In short, yes, you may look for a new job while on workers’ compensation restrictions. However, depending on the nature of your injury and the benefits you receive, taking a new job may affect your payments. If you do want to look for new work, you may. However, suppose you do decide to search for a new job opportunity. In that case, there are some considerations that you should make to avoid affecting your workers’ compensation claims, benefits, or eligibility, as some new career choices could affect it.
New Job Duties and Responsibilities
If you decide to change jobs while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, it is essential to understand what the new job’s responsibilities entail. There are several primary considerations when looking for a new job after being injured and receiving benefits.
Current Health Conditions
First and foremost, you want to make sure that the new job’s duties and responsibilities will not aggravate your injury or harm you further if you are not yet rehabilitated. The duties at the new position may require work that you should not or cannot perform with your injury.
New Duties and Performance May Prompt Insurance Company to Discontinue Benefits Payments
It is essential to be aware of the duties and responsibilities of a new job because they might cause you to be ineligible for further benefits payments. If you accept a position that requires an employee to be healthy and able-bodied to perform and you were able to perform them, even if you are not fully healed, your benefits may be affected.
Lost Wage Benefits
For the most part, if you change jobs or find a job in a new state, your medical benefits will continue. However, depending on the nature of your injury and the kind of payments you receive, your lost wage benefits might be impacted. There are four different kinds of lost wage disability benefits in Minnesota:
- Temporary Partial
- Temporary Total
- Permanent Total
Temporary partial and temporary total benefits are paid when your earning potential is diminished temporarily. Those benefits bridge the gap between what you are making now and what you were making before your injury. For temporary partial and temporary total disability, there may be expectation that you will return to work after your injury is healed. However, if you choose to change jobs, you should first speak with a lawyer. It is possible to lose temporary benefits because you have severed your employment relationship with that employer, but the scenario is case-specific.
Consult With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney before Making Any Changes
Before acting on any employment changes while on workers’ compensation, it is essential that you consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. The workers’ compensation process is complicated, and even slight changes can result in substantial disruptions or even discontinuation of your benefits payments.
Hiring a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you have a workers’ compensation claim and need assistance, contact 612-INJURED. Our workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to assist you with your claims. To learn more or schedule your initial case consultation, call or text us at (612) 465-8733.
