We are experienced Illinois work injury attorneys who will talk to you for free and in confidence about your case. Call us any time at 888-706-1766 to speak with a lawyer.
Almost every injured worker I have ever met just wants to get healthy and back to work. For many people that happens within days or weeks of getting hurt. When injuries are more serious, that can take months or even years.
The longer an injury and work comp case drag out, the more likely it is that your doctor will consider ways to get you back to work. That typically involves releasing you to return to work, but with restrictions. Examples include:
- No lifting over a certain amount of weight.
- Taking 15 minute rest breaks every two hours.
- No overhead work.
- Limits on how much you can pull, push.
- No bending, squatting or climbing.
When the restrictions are heavy, it usually means you are only going to be able to do light duty or sedentary work. That may mean that you will sit at a desk all day and stuff envelopes or act as a greeter at the door or something like that. Other times an employer can work with you and your restrictions in a more meaningful way.
But What Happens When You Work With Restrictions And It Causes Pain?
If your doctor says that you can return to work with restrictions, you generally have to try or you risk losing your benefits.Usually it goes well, but sometimes it goes sideways. That is for two reasons:
- Your employer pressures you to do work beyond your restrictions.
- You give it your best shot, but are having extreme pain.
If your employer is pressuring you, our best advice is do not go along with that if you can help it and call your attorney. It is your lawyer’s job to protect you in those situations. I know that refusing to help someone lift is easier said than done at some places, but it is truly best for your health.
For the second example, if you truly give it your best effort and are hurting, ask yourself if you are sore or if it feels like the underlying injury is getting worse or is similar to when you first hurt it. If it is getting worse or the pain is similar to when you first hurt yourself, stop working.
After that, let your supervisor know what is happening. Maybe they have even lighter duty work for you. Maybe not. Either way, let your attorney know and call your doctor for an appointment ASAP.
What Happens After You See Your Doctor Again?
This is one of many reasons not to treat with the company doctor. Hopefully you have a good doctor in your corner who is looking out for you and your health. Make clear to them that you really tried to work and explain what pain symptoms you had. They may tell you to take some time off and try again. They might order additional physical or occupational therapy. They might order a functional capacity exam or FCE to determine objectively what restrictions you need.
Whatever happens, you do not want to set your recovery back significantly by over exerting yourself and ending up needing a surgery or something else.
Listen to your body and then listen to your doctor. That is the best thing you can do for yourself.
And if things are not going well or you just have questions, please contact us any time. We will do whatever we can to help you.