Can You Work a Different Job While on Workers Comp?
If you’ve been injured at work and are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may be wondering if it’s possible to work a different job while still receiving these benefits. That answer depends on several factors.
Factors To Consider
- Your Type of Injury: If you’ve suffered a serious injury such as a broken bone or a traumatic brain injury, then performing any type of job, regardless of the duties, may not be allowed. For minor injuries, you may still be able to work while receiving compensation.
- The Severity of the Injury: Even with a minor injury, certain duties may not be allowed, depending on their severity. Workers’ compensation rules may not allow you to perform certain activities that involve heavy lifting or other strenuous activities if those activities may further aggravate your injury.
- Your Ability to Work: Because workers’ compensation benefits are contingent upon your ability to work, any job you take must be within your capacity. Otherwise, you may be held liable for fraud or for not being honestly evaluated about your ability to perform such duties.
Options
There may be options available to you if you’re unable to perform your regular job while on workers’ compensation. You may be able to work a different job at your current employer, so long as the duties do not aggravate your injury or put you at risk of a secondary injury.
In some cases, you may even be able to change jobs entirely. When considering this option, it’s important to make sure that the new job would not be one that would cause a relapse or deterioration of your condition. Additionally, you may need to contact your workers’ compensation insurer to ensure that you can still receive the benefits that you are entitled to.
Conclusion
In some cases, it may be possible to work a different job while still receiving workers’ compensation benefits, however, it’s important to first consult with your insurer and physician to ensure that the new job would not aggravate your condition and that you would still be eligible for benefits.