Return-to-Work Programs for Injured Workers

Most people who are injured on a job in Pennsylvania want to return to work as soon as possible. However, some injuries and illnesses require people to take time off to recover. A doctor may tell injured workers when they are fit to return to their jobs and advise them about what activities they should avoid until they are feeling better.

Employers lose money when their employees are taking time off to recover from an injury or illness. While an injured worker is at home, the employer’s workers’ compensation costs may go up, the employer may lose productivity, and the employer may have to pay to train new workers to take care of the injured worker’s responsibilities. To get injured workers back on the job sooner, many employers have return-to-work programs.

These are programs that provide solutions to help injured employees return to work sooner. Injured employese may be offered the chance to perform modified work duties while they recover. Return-to-work programs may benefit employees by allowing them to earn a regular income and remain active. Some studies have shown that returning to work after an injury can be therapeutic and speed up recovery time.

While returning to work soon after an accident may benefit some injured employees, it can be dangerous for those that have serious injuries. An attorney may be able to help a person with workplace injuries to pursue adequate reimbursement for their time off by filing a workers’ compensation claim for benefits that can include medical treatment as well as partial wage replacement.