Can You Work While Receiving Workers Compensation?

Workers compensation is designed to provide for employees who are injured on the job. This doesn’t mean that you cannot work when receiving workers compensation insurance, however. As a rule, you can still receive workers compensation benefits if you are working with permission. It is important to communicate openly with your employer and the insurance agent handling the workers compensation claim. 

For example, say that you sprain your ankle at work and come back to work with limited capabilities. As long as everyone involved agrees, you can still receive workers compensation for medical bills related to your sprained ankle and possible partial wage replacement if you take a pay cut due to limited capabilities. 

If you are caught working because of a claim where you stated that you were no longer able to work, that is a different story. In this case, you could be accused of fraud and your workers compensation benefits taken away.  

Can You Be Fired While Out on Workers Compensation? 

There are few instances where employers are allowed to fire an employee while they are out on workers compensation. As a rule, an employer cannot fire you simply because you are unable to work due to a work-related injury. However, they can still fire an employee based on other offenses such as previous work performance. 

Different Areas of Workers Compensation 

Also keep in mind that different areas of workers compensation work in different ways. The main areas of workers compensation include medical bill coverage, wage replacement and disability benefits. The four sections of disability benefits include partial temporary disability, partial total disability, total temporary disability and total permanent disability. 

If you are rendered disabled due to a work-related accident, you may not be able to return to work. This declaration must come from your healthcare provider and be shared with your manager and the workers compensation insurance agent. If you have proof that your doctor says you are not allowed to work due to your injury or disability, and you are caught working, you could be accused of fraud and have your workers compensation benefits taken away. 

Be sure to keep an open line of communication with your employer and the workers compensation agent. Being open and honest can help the process go smoothly and save everyone time and money. Being honest can also help you receive your workers compensation benefits quicker.