Returning to Work After an Injury: Your Rights, Light Duty, and Safe Transitions

What “light duty” means

Light or modified duty is temporary work that fits your doctor’s restrictions. It can help you heal, keep income flowing, and reduce time out of work.

Before you accept light duty

• Get the offer in writing (title, tasks, schedule).

• Compare it to your written restrictions. If any task conflicts, ask for clarification or adjustment.

• Ask who to contact if pain increases or a task isn’t safe.

If the offered job doesn’t fit

You can (and should) say no to tasks that break your restrictions—with documentation. Provide the specific restriction (“no overhead reaching”) and the task that conflicts. Ask your doctor to update the note if needed.

Protecting your benefits

• Accepting suitable light duty usually preserves wage benefits (sometimes at a partial rate).

• Refusing suitable light duty may suspend checks. If it’s not suitable, explain why in writing and loop in your lawyer.

ADA accommodations may help

If you can perform your job with reasonable accommodations (like assistive devices, schedule changes, or task swaps), your employer must consider them unless it creates undue hardship. Workers’ comp and ADA are separate—an ADA accommodation request can keep you employed while you finish healing.

Watch for retaliation

It’s illegal to punish you for filing a comp claim. Document any sudden schedule cuts, write-ups, or threats that start after your injury and seek legal help quickly.

When you’re ready for full duty

Ask your doctor for a full release only when you can safely perform all essential job functions. If symptoms return, report them immediately; a re-injury can still be covered.

Key documents to keep

• All work status notes and restrictions

• Light-duty offer letters/emails

• Pay stubs (to verify correct benefit calculations)

• Communication logs with HR/supervisors/insurer