January 9, 2015
Resuming Going Back to Work after a Work-Related Injury: 5 Things to Consider (Pt. 1), here, we will continue to point out some of the things to think about before going back to work after you’ve been hurt on the job.
More Things to Consider When Going Back to Work after a Work-Related Injury
3 – Continuing medical care
Just as following doctor’s orders regarding your restricted activities is important (to your health and to your continued workers’ compensation benefits), so too is continuing to pursue the medical
care and the treatments recommended by your doctor. In terms of your workers’ compensation benefits, the primary reason that continuing to obtain medical care is so critical is that:
- Insurers will monitor your compliance with care.
- Your failure to continue with recommended treatments can lead to insurer’s reducing or terminating your benefits.
If, however, you have concerns about following through with a particular course of medical care (because, for instance, you disagree with a doctor’s recommendations), then consider getting a second opinion regarding your condition and treatment. Showing that you are following through with your medical care can be essential to maintaining continued workers’ compensation benefits.
4 – Whether you can perform the duties of your job
Think about what physical activities your job requires you to perform. In light of your new injuries, will you be able to carry out these activities safely? If you can’t answer this, then talk to your doctor, and specifically ask him this question. If you are told that you will not be able to perform some or any of your job activities, then it may be time to:
- Talk to an employer about possibly altering your job activities
- Seek another position with your current employer
- Consider whether it’s time to seek vocational rehabilitation (to get training to do different jobs, enter new industries, etc.).
If you find that you will not be able to return to your former position (due to your impairments preventing you from completing your job duties), you may be able to:
- Apply for workers’ compensation benefits again
- Pursue job training and placement via resources provided by the Worker’s Compensation Board (and the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation).
Don’t miss the conclusion to this blog series that will be posted soon!
Denver Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at the Bisset Law Firm
Have you been injured at work? If so, Denver Workers’ Compensation Attorney Jennifer Bisset wants you to know that she is here to aggressively advocate your rights and help you obtain the benefits you need and deserve.
When you choose to work with the Bisset Law Firm, you can trust that we will work diligently to keep your case moving and that we will keep you advised of every development in your case. While this means that you can count on us to promptly return every one of your phone calls, it also means that we are committed to meeting all of your case deadlines in order to help you secure favorable results to your case.
Contact Us Today
Contact us today by calling (303) 894-8900 to learn more about your rights and receive a professional evaluation of your case.
From her office based in Denver, Jennifer Bisset provides superior legal services to injured people throughout Denver County and the state of Colorado.
