Injured federal workers may find themselves being asked to go back to work after their claims examiner goes over their file and makes a decision based off a potential job opening and your doctor’s notes. Usually, you would not expect to go back to work in the same capacity because unfortunately, injuries tend to not fully heal in most cases. In such instances, modified light duty is the right assignation as this would not aggravate your injuries. However, a limited light duty assignment usually means the cessation of your injured worker benefits and the possibility of aggravating your injuries which may not have fully healed.
Are you looking for an OWCP permanent disability attorney, or just want to know what your options are as an injured federal worker that’s considering going back to work thanks to the alleviation of your on-the-job injury? For over 20 years, we’ve helped injured postal workers as well as individuals in other arms of the federal government get and keep their schedule award and other forms of compensation. Please contact us NOW at (773) 673-9861 to receive your 100% FREE, confidential consultation into all things federal workers’ compensation.
Limited Duty Assignment for Injured Federal Workers
Once your physician has examined you, they may make a decision which recommends that you return to work but with under condition that you be placed on a limited duty assignment position or a modified work environment.
One of the issues associated with light duty assignment positions is the undue pressure you will receive from your OWCP claims examiner to get back to work. With this pressure usually comes the demand that you accept any offer on the table which may seem reasonable in the eyes of your OWCP claims examiner, but could be insufficient monetarily and lead to the aggravation of your previous injury.
Can I Refuse a Limited or Light Duty Assignment as a Federal Worker?
Once your OWCP claims examiner liaises with your employer and finds out there’s a job opening that suits you, you’ll get a 30-day period within which you will review the job offer in concert with your physician and then provide feedback. For all intents and purposes, this time may be insufficient should you decide to object to the job offer at hand.
The one thing you should never do in this case is decline a job offer. This can lead to the termination of your OWCP injured federal worker benefits as a valid (and often medical) rationale must be provided justifying the rejection. This is where we come in: with your physician, we will explore any mistakes in the file as well as reexamine your injuries and your work responsibilities to come up with a bonafide legal reason why you may not be able to go back to work just yet, especially not on that position.
Best Injured Federal Worker Attorneys – Call Us Today!
A limited duty assignment shouldn’t put you out of sorts: by contacting a best OWCP return to work attorney, you’ll be able to provide OWCP valid legal reasons why doing so would not be medical or constitutionally ideal in light of your circumstances. For FREE legal help, please contact us NOW at (773) 673-9861 to learn more about how we can contest your OWCP claims examiner recommendation. We look forward to hearing from you.