If an employee's primary treating physician places light-duty work restrictions on the return-to-work authorization, and if the employer offers light-duty work assignments, a worker is able to get back to his or her job while still recovering. (Photo: Pressmaster/Shutterstock)
The objective of workers' compensation (WC) insurance is to provide employees with financial support while they recover from a work-related illness or injury so that eventually, they can return to work when it is deemed medically appropriate. In some cases, if an employee's primary treating physician (PTP) places light-duty work restrictions on the return-to-work authorization, and if the employer offers light-duty work assignments, a worker is able to get back to his or her job while still recovering.
However, because WC laws are different in every state, it can be difficult for employers to understand their obligations when it comes to light or modified return-to-work assignments. The following addresses some of the more common questions that your employer clients are likely to ask when it comes to navigating WC and light-duty or modified work assignments.
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