In certain cases a work-related injury can be very serious and demand that the injured worker takes time off from work, though sometimes the injuries do not impact a worker’s job performance.
A worker could suffer a foot injury while at work, but their job performance dictates that they use their hands and intellect.
Should I Take Time Off For Work Injury in Sugarland TX?
Injured employees who have suffered work-related injuries or ailments often wonder are curious and wonder if they are required to file a worker’s compensation claim, and if they need to take time off of work.
In some cases, employees with work-related injuries that does not impact their job performance will not report their injury to their employer, because they do not see a point in seeking workers’ compensation, or have the assumption that their work-related injury isn’t qualifying due to the fact that it doesn’t affect their ability to perform their job.
Instead, these injured employees completely forego a workers’ compensation claim and just seek medical care through their health insurance.
These employees need to understand that even if they do not need to take time off of work, they can still have the opportunity to seek workers’ compensation benefits if they are eligible.
Getting Injured Workers Back To Work In Texas
Texas is a big advocate of making sure injured workers are able to stay employed in some capacity as they recuperate from work-related injuries, as long as it is possible.
Texas strongly suggests that employers take an active approach towards executing Return to Work Programs for injured employees.
Return to Work Programs are used to offer recovering injured employees alternative work assignments, or “light duty” options with a reduced compensation, while they are recovering from their work-related injury.
While a worker is recovering from their work-related injury or sickness, there are many reasons why the worker should stay engaged in their job.
- Ensuring that injured workers are back into the workforce as quickly as possible
- Makes sure that the injured worker is engaged in their job
- Preserves employee morale
- Maintains the injured worker’s income
- Lessens any kind of social benefits (welfare, disability benefits, etc.) that the injured worker might have to utilize during their recovery period; and
- Provides the injured employees with taxable income.
Getting Medical Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation
If an employee is able to keep on working regardless of their work-related injury or illness, the employee will not necessarily need income benefits through workers’ compensation due to the fact that the employee is still able to do their job, or the possibility of an alternative work assignment for pay.
But even if a work-related injury or sickness does not entail that the injured employee take off of work, it doesn’t mean that receiving medical treatment for the injury won’t cost the injured employee money out of their own pocket.
If an injured worker doesn’t need to take any time off of work, they may still seek workers’ compensation benefits to help take care of medical expenses.
An injured employee who recovers workers’ compensation benefits, but is still working and making income, does not need to apply for income benefits, this ensures that these resources are still available for injured workers who need income benefits through the Texas workers’ compensation framework.
In Texas, injured employees should only take enough time off of work to seek medical help and recover from their work-related injury or sickness.
In the event that an employee takes off more time than needed, they could end up risking termination or having their workers’ compensation claim denied.
Injured Workers Should Discuss Their Options With Their Employers
Many people feel helpless and useless if they take too much time away from their work.
In the event that a worker is injured at work, they should take to their employer if they believe they can still work in some capacity.
Sometimes all it takes is a conversation between the employee and the employer that will make the employer find ways that the injured employee could still perform their job while recovering.
Sometimes the employer is able to find alternatives or “light duty” options for the injured worker to do, while the worker is recovering, this way the worker is still engaged with their job and earning an income.
Typically, a clearing with a designated doctor is required by the boss, to make sure that the injured employee can perform an alternative work assignment or light duty.
As long as the doctor approves the worker of being able to handle an alternative assignment with safety in mind, then the injured worker can go back to work to carry out their job during their recovery.
The injured employee’s situation can then be monitored occasionally to ensure that the worker’s condition allows them to continue working.
Workers’ Compensation Claim vs. Third-Party Liability in Sugarland
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