When an individual is injured on the job, light-duty employment may be offered as part of the workers' compensation process.

Light-duty work can be a modified form of your former job, but it is often an entirely new assignment. Light-duty occupations are those that your doctor thinks you can do despite your medical restrictions. If you are interested, read more about workers comp today.

Light-duty work may include the following:

• Shift shortening
• Less physically demanding tasks
• Employment that lets an employee move more slowly

Light-duty jobs commonly include:

• Performing office tasks
• Supervising and reporting on job sites
• Performing equipment maintenance
• Monitoring surveillance cameras

While light-duty occupations are an inherent aspect of the Workers' Compensation process, there are a few factors to consider before accepting such an assignment:

• Light-duty jobs may put your workers' comp claim at risk.

If you are given a light-duty job, whether you accept or reject the new position, it may impact your workers' compensation claim.

If you accept the part-time employment and:

• If you earn the same or more than you did before your accident, your compensation for lost wages will be terminated.

• You will receive lost-wage payments if your wage is less than earned before your injury, but they will be partial disability benefits.

If you are offered an acceptable light-duty employment but decline it:

• Your employer can ask a judge to alter or terminate your workers' compensation payments.

• If a company doctor forces you back to work, you could seek a second opinion.

Sadly, bosses and company-paid doctors compel some employees back to work. Unfortunately, even when these employees know they are still too injured to return to work, they occasionally take light-duty assignments out of fear of losing their benefits.

The truth is that you are entitled to a second opinion. This implies you can visit your doctor at your own expense. You have the right to refuse to work if your doctor says you are still too injured.

Your employer can request that your benefits be suspended, changed, or terminated. But your benefits will continue until a judge hears your case.

• While working light duty, workers' compensation benefits are still available.

If you have been wounded at work and are qualified for — and are offered — a light-duty position, keep in mind that if the job pays less than what you were making before you were hurt, you will be eligible for partial disability payments. It is also worth noting that workers' compensation will keep paying all reasonable—and necessary—work-injury-related medical expenses even after you return.