How Soon Can You Return to Work After a Workplace Injury?

Workplace injuries can occur in a myriad of ways and may be more or less severe depending on the situation. Some injuries may heal quickly while others could entail a longer recovery period. The time it takes to return to work after a workplace injury varies from case to case, and should be decided with the help of the medical professionals treating you. If you or a loved one were injured on the job, reach out to a workplace injury attorney to discuss your options for physical and financial recovery.

The first thing to do after a workplace injury is to seek medical treatment.

After any kind of accident, it’s important to seek medical attention first and foremost. This rule applies regardless of the apparent severity of the injury. In fact, some injuries may not be felt until days or even weeks after the accident, but waiting to seek medical care can result in a worsening of the condition and may have a negative effect on your case if you choose to pursue litigation down the road. Workers’ compensation benefits will likely pay for your basic medical care after a workplace injury as long as you visit a medical provider in your employer’s plan. Talk to your employer or Human Resources (HR) Department about workers’ compensation benefits and where to go for treatment.

Follow the recommendations of your doctor, including attending follow-up appointments.

It is also important to follow whatever recommendations the doctor makes regarding your health and recovery. This may include rest or rehabilitative exercises to do at home. In some cases, the doctor may request follow-up appointments. It is imperative to attend any and all follow-up appointments requested by your doctor or physical therapist; failing to do so could affect your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits and could make it difficult to file a successful personal injury claim in the future. It is important to communicate to your employer and your doctor that your main goal is returning to a healthy, normal life after a workplace accident.

Workers’ compensation benefits may help pay for certain medical bills and lost wages during recovery.

Workers’ compensation, commonly referred to as “workers’ comp”, is a type of insurance intended to help pay an employee’s expenses immediately after a workplace injury, as well as to protect the employer from liability. In most cases, an employee may not sue their employer while they are receiving workers’ comp benefits. The exception to this rule is when the injury occurred due to negligence on the part of the employer. Most states require employers to carry some form of workers’ comp insurance. In fact, Texas is the only state which does not require employers to carry workers’ comp. However, many employers in Texas choose to do so anyway or purchase an alternate form of employee injury insurance. If your employer does not offer workers’ comp, you may also be eligible to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages.

To learn more about what to do after a workplace injury or for help filing a claim, talk to a workplace injury lawyer sooner rather than later.