Have you been injured at work? Did you become ill because of your job? Are you currently receiving workers comp benefits while you are receiving medical care for your injuries? If you are still receiving treatment for your injuries from an on-the-job injury, you need to follow the instructions of your doctor. However, what happens when your employer calls to say you are needed back at work but the doctor has not said you can return to work?
Your Doctor vs. Your Employer
By law, you are entitled to receive medical treatment if you are hurt at work during the normal scope of your job. Your employer nor the insurance company can legally deny your medical treatment for a valid workplace injury nor can they tell your doctor how to treat you. Unfortunately, the above situation comes up quite often in workers’ comp claims. An employer wants the employee back at work, but the doctor has not released the employee to return to work. While every workplace injury and workers’ comp claim is different, we can tell you that you shouldn’t return to work without your doctor’s authorization. To do so can jeopardize your workers’ comp claim.
Politely and respectfully inform your employer that you will ask your doctor if it is okay for you to return to work. You want to be as cooperative as possible, such as returning telephone calls promptly, but you don’t want to do anything that will put your health or your claim at risk.
If your employer wants you back at work and you feel up to returning to work, you need to discuss the matter with your doctor. Your doctor may have a valid reason to keep you out of work right now. Returning to work before your doctor authorizes a return to work could put you at risk for an additional injury.
What Do I Do If I Am Threatened, or My Benefits Are Terminated?
If your doctor has told you to remain out of work and your employer threatens to fire you for not returning to work, call our office immediately. Likewise, if the workers’ comp insurance carrier terminates your benefits for failing to return to work, call our office immediately. Florida’s workers’ comp laws are designed to protect injured workers from actions like these. However, you need an attorney involved as quickly as possible to begin working on a resolution to the problem. You also don’t want to miss deadlines for filing appeals or complaints.
Call a Boca Raton Workers Comp Attorney for More Information
Employers and workers comp insurance companies can push injured employees to do things that are not in their best interest. It is important that injured workers learn about their rights under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws from a trusted, experienced Boca Raton workers comp lawyer.
Our attorneys have the experience you want on your side when you have been hurt at work. We will guide you through the process of filing for workers comp benefits and provide you with trusted and reliable legal representation.
Call The Broderick Law Firm, P.L. at 1-800-333-3903 to schedule a free consultation with a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer.