Do you have to return to work if you have been hurt on the job?

  If you have been hurt on the job, do you have an obligation to return to work?  It depends.  Benefits for temporary total disability (TTDs) are payable until you are able to return to work or, if you do not return to work, until you have reached maximum medical improvement (recovery).  At that time, your benefits will terminate.  Therefore, if your doctor (1) does not take you off from work, or (2) releases you to return to work, you must return to work if your employer has offered a job for you that does not violate your medical restrictions.  If you choose not to return to work despite the fact that your employer has offered to work within your restrictions, the workers' compensation carrier has no obligation to pay any additional TTDs.  So, what should you do?  Make sure that you clearly communicate with your doctor about your symptoms and pain so that they can make an informed decision about when to release you to return to work and what restrictions you may need.  If your doctor gives you restrictions that your employer cannot accommodate resulting in your inability to return to work or a decrease in the amount of money that you make when you return, then you may be entitled to further benefits.   
If you have been injured on the job and have questions about whether you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, contact Phillip Miller & Associates at (800) 337-HURT (4878) or (615) 356-2000 for legal advice.