What does it mean to return to work on "light duty" status?

Returning to work on "light duty" status means that you are returning in a reduced capacity. It refers to the amount of work performance capacity that you have when you return after an injury. This usually occurs when your treating physician releases you from medical care once they feel you have recovered enough from your injury. However, you do not have the capacity to perform your job at 100%.

This is the biggest challenge (or "trap" as it is called) that an individual faces in a workers comp case is returning to work after they have been injured on the job. It is one of the key reasons why hiring the services of an experienced Workers Compensation attorney is always recommended since this issue should be handled very carefully because of this returning-to-work trap. Where Georgia State Workers Compensation laws are concerned, if you’ve been receiving weekly TTD benefits, you must have a Form WC-240 form filled out when you return to your job.

Additionally, if your employer does not restart your benefits voluntarily, you will have to request a hearing. Should this happen, you could be waiting for a considerably long period for that hearing in order to get your benefits re-started. Conversely, if you return to work with a WC-240 and cannot perform your normal work duties, then your TTD benefits should resume immediately.

What is the WC-240 form?

The WC-240 is entitled "Notice to Employee of Offer of Suitable Employment" and is the workers compensation form that defines specific light duty descriptions. The WC-240 form typically includes the following information:

Name and contact information regarding the business owner or supervisor; Specific limitations placed on your work duties according to the authorized treating physician; The rate of pay you will receive when returning to work on light duty status; The return-to-work start date

What you need to remember is that if you cannot perform your job responsibilities when you return to your job under light duty conditions, you need to notify your employer or supervisor immediately and return home. Your TTD benefits should automatically re-start again. As was mentioned in the content above, this is another key reason for hiring the services of an experienced Workers Compensation attorney in order to assist you with your workers compensation situation. It is in your best interests to have an expert on your side.