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When Can You Go Back to Work After a Workers’ Comp Claim in Pennsylvania?

Navigating the aftermath of a workplace injury can be a highly difficult process. You may be able to recover payment for the lost income you incur during your recovery. However, it is likely that the amount of lost wage benefits you recover will only amount to a portion of your average weekly income. Accordingly, once you have sufficiently healed, you may need to return to work in order to get your life back on track.

The decision to return to work after filing a Workers’ Compensation claim in Pennsylvania will be based on your recovery progress. Once your physician has determined that you have reached the stage of “Maximum Medical Improvement” (MMI), you may be cleared to return. However, even after reaching MMI, you may still be limited in the type and amount of work you can perform. If you are permanently restricted from performing your pre-injury job duties, then you may qualify for long-term benefits.

Get support from our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyers by calling Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945.

Returning to Work After Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Pennsylvania

Lost wage benefits provided through Workers’ Compensation offer crucial support to injured employees who are unable to earn income during their recoveries. Still, in some cases, the amount of benefits being paid out may seem insufficient when compared to claimants’ pre-injury earnings. Many clients ask our Workers’ Compensation attorneys if they may return to work so that they can sufficiently provide for themselves and their families.

As previously discussed, the decision to return to work after filing your Workers’ Compensation claim will be made by your physician. They will carefully monitor your recovery progress to determine when you have reached MMI. MMI refers to the stage at which you have reached a recovery plateau. In other words, this is the stage at which your condition cannot be improved any further.

The period of time in which you are unable to work is often referred to as your “healing period.” As outlined by § 306(c)(25) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, the length of your healing period is sometimes defined by code rather that the specific circumstances of your case.

Once you have reached MMI, you may be cleared to return to work. However, it is important to remember that not all MMI designations are created equal. For example, a worker who suffers a sprained muscle may reach MMI and be fully recovered. Meanwhile, a worker who incurs a spinal cord injury may reach MMI but still have significant limitations that prevent them from performing their pre-injury job duties.

Your doctor might suggest that you can return to work before you reach MMI. However, such a recommendation will typically include specific guidelines for your employer to assign you modified or light-duty tasks that suit your physical capabilities. This approach can be beneficial if you are able to perform some level of work and potentially earn a salary that exceeds your lost wage benefits. Still, as we will discuss below, returning to work part time could also mean a reduction in the benefits you receive.

Can You Still Receive Lost Wage Benefits After Reaching MMI in Pennsylvania?

You may continue to receive lost wage benefits if you reach MMI but are still suffering from physical limitations caused by your on-the-job injury. If you are deemed to qualify for “total disability” benefits, then there is no limit to how long your benefits may continue to be paid out. However, if you only qualify for “partial disability” benefits, then your benefits must be halted after a maximum of 500 weeks, as outlined by § 306(a.2)(7) of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

In order to determine whether you qualify for total or partial disability benefits, your employer’s insurance company may send you in for an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE). This evaluation can only be requested after you have reached MMI and received temporary total disability benefits for at least 104 weeks. The physician performing the IRE may be selected by both you and the insurer, or one may be selected by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

The guidelines for how to conduct and IRE and determine an appropriate impairment rating have been fiercely contested by various parties. However, in 2018, the Pennsylvania legislature enacted Act 111, which re-established the IRE process under § 306(a.3) of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Under the new IRE guidelines, the examining physician must use the Sixth Edition of the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment to determine your impairment rating. This method helps ensure objectivity in evaluating your condition. Previously, physicians were only instructed to use the “most recent” edition of the guide.

If the physician determines that your impairment rating is below 35% (previously the threshold was 50%), then the classification of your lost wage benefits may shift from “total disability” to “partial disability.” This change limits the duration of time that those benefits can be received to 500 weeks. Fortunately, anything higher than 35% will constitute total disability and will qualify you for benefits that may be paid out for an indefinite length of time.

It is important to note that while wage loss benefits may be capped, benefits for medical expenses related to your on-the-job injury are not time-restricted.

What if You Do Not Want to Return to Work After Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Pennsylvania?

If conflicts emerge between you and your employer while you are receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, or if you decide that returning to your previous role is not something you want or are capable of doing, you are not legally obligated to return. However, it is crucial to understand that choosing not to return to work when medically cleared could lead to the loss of certain benefits.

Return to Work Forms in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Claims

The requirement to provide a “return to work” form is set forth by § 306(b)(3) of the Workers’ Compensation Act. Under this requirement, your employer’s insurer must promptly send you a written notice if they receive medical evidence suggesting that you are capable of returning to work in any capacity.

This notice will inform you about the perceived change in your physical condition. It will also explain that you have an obligation to search for available employment. Further, if the insurer provides proof of available employment opportunities, then your right to continue receiving benefits may be jeopardized.

Call Our Attorneys for Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Pennsylvania

Seek assistance from our Certified Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers by calling Cardamone Law today at (267) 651-7945.

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Cardamone Law Has Negotiated Some of the Largest Workers’ Comp Settlements in Pennsylvania

$6 Million
Acted as Co-Counsel on a Case that Settled
$2.2 Million
Spinal Injury
$897,000
Lower Back Injury
$740,000
Amputation
$650,000
Lower Back Injury
$550,000
Neck Injury
$425,000
Leg Injury
$375,000
Knee Injury
$325,000
Ankle Injury
$6 Million
Acted as Co-Counsel on a Case that Settled
$2.2 Million
Spinal Injury
$897,000
Lower Back Injury
$740,000
Amputation
$650,000
Lower Back Injury
$550,000
Neck Injury
$425,000
Leg Injury
$375,000
Knee Injury
$325,000
Ankle Injury

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"Without a doubt YOU are the best!!!"

"Without a doubt YOU are the best!!! Every person who is in the horrible position of being injured at work should have someone as kind, compassionate and knowledgeable as you on their side. You never once made me feel like I was one of a hundred other clients. I always knew you had my back! You answered calls and emails at all hours. You fought every fight for me so I only had to worry about getting well. Behind your nice, calm face there’s a pit bull ready to take on any employer or judge. I can never thank you enough."

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I called Shirley when I was scared and didn’t know what where my next dime was coming from after I was out with my work injury. Shirley was very kind and helpful guiding me every single step of the way. Mike was not your typical lawyer was not pushy but very responsive to all my gazillion questions. He helped me get my settlement quickly and settlement check in a very timely manner. Would recommend them to anyone! Mike helped calm all my fears and anxieties as I was trying to navigate one of the hardest and most stressful times in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Mike and Shirley!!

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"Exceptional firm. Highly recommend this law firm. Michael won my Workers Comp case after my employer insurance denied my claim. Him and his staff were always at my reach for legal and emotional support. Am so happy I hire them. Thanks Michael and Ms. Shirley."

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"[They] did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time."

"I recently had a work related injury and was receiving Workers' Compensation (medical benefits only). Soon after I was fired, so I contacted Paul Silver at Cardamone Law Firm who did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time. Paul and his assistant Shirley always responded to any questions I had about the case in a very short amount of time. Thank you for helping me with this difficult case."

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"Cardamone Law was great with helping my husband with his Workers Comp issues. Mike and Shirley were the best with letting us know what was going on every step of the way. Highly recommend."

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"Mike Cardamone is amazing. He is "hands down" one of the best lawyers I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He is very kind, understanding, knowledgeable in his field, always very thorough and helpful. He was extremely professional and someone who truly cares about his clients. I felt completely at ease with him. He was a pleasure to work with, explained everything in detail, as well as answered all my questions with knowledge and care. If you want someone you can trust, who communicates every step of the way, will fight for you and make sure you win your case, he is it! I will refer all my family and friends to him. Thank you so much Mike, for everything. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication in helping me."

- Allie M.
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"Best Workers' Comp Lawyer!"

"Michael is simply the best! He was there for me from day 1 till the end, and we won the case!! He is always available to help. I had a gazillion questions and he would answer them one by one. He's a great lawyer and I feel lucky to have found him online from reading other outstanding reviews about him. Believe me, they're true!"

- Faith B.
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"Great attorney, handled case quickly and efficiently. I would recommend him and would use him again. He was always available to answer any questions we had. Thank you, Mr. Cardamone."

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