If you’ve been injured at work, your doctor may allow you to perform light duty work at your job as long as it accommodates your medical restrictions. Light duty work may be a modified version of your previous position, or your employer could assign you completely different tasks that accommodate your injury. However, this may affect your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. If you suffered an injury at work and are assigned light duty work, here’s what you need to know.
What is Considered Light Duty?
Light duty work, also referred to as modified or alternative duty, is any job assignment that considers an injured employee’s physical limitations. After an on-the-job injury, your employer may offer this as an option versus being out of work entirely.
If you earn the same amount of money or more from light duty work, your workers’ compensation payments for lost wages will stop. In contrast, if you make less money performing light duty work than before, you would be entitled to compensation for lost wages through temporary partial disability benefits (TPD).
As outlined in the North Carolina Government’s Workers’ Compensation Employee Handbook, TPD equals sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 ⅔%) of the difference between your weekly earnings with your medical restriction and before your injury.
Examples of Light Duty Jobs
Examples of light duty work include:
- Working a desk job such as data entry or customer service.
- Conducting training sessions for employees on various topics relevant to the workplace.
- Taking inventories of supplies, materials, or products within a business or warehouse setting.
- Supervising and reporting on job sites to ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently.
- Monitoring surveillance cameras to maintain security and oversee premises.
- Performing machinery and equipment maintenance to keep operations running smoothly.
- Executing office tasks like filing, organizing documents, or scheduling appointments.
Do I Have to Accept My Employer’s Proposed Light Duty Job?
You do not have to accept your employer’s proposed light duty assignments if they exceed the medical restrictions set by your doctor. However, if you turn down a light duty job that accommodates your medical restrictions, your employer may ask a workers’ compensation judge to modify or terminate your benefits. If the employer has no light duty work available, you may continue to receive your workers’ compensation benefits.
Speak With Our North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Free
An injury at work can upend your life and daily routines. During this challenging time, it is essential to have an advocate in your corner to ensure your rights are protected and help secure your return to work. At Henson Fuerst, our compassionate workers’ compensation lawyers treat each workers’ compensation case like we would our own, fighting to recover maximum compensation for our clients across North Carolina.
Contact us today by submitting a form online or calling our office at 919-781-1107 for a free consultation.
