If you were injured at work, you have likely had to take some time off to recover. While you might be eager to return to work, you shouldn’t rush back too soon. Doing so could delay the healing process and even put you at risk of further injuries. Here are some tips for returning to work after an injury:
Listen to Your Doctor’s Advice
After evaluating your injuries and the progress you’ve made, your doctor should have a pretty good idea about when you can return to work. It’s important to take your doctor’s recommendations seriously because he or she has your best interests at heart. Even if you’re starting to feel better, you shouldn’t return to work before your doctor gives you the go ahead. If you go back to work before your doctor says it’s okay, you could put your health in jeopardy.
Keep in Touch With Your Employer
While you have the legal right to take a leave of absence as you recover from your work injury, it’s still important to check in with your employer periodically. Tell your employer how you’re doing and ask if there is anything new happening at working. Doing this will help improve your relationship with your employer and make the transition to work less awkward.
Don’t Hesitate to Request Accommodations
Just because you’ve been cleared to return to work by your doctor, doesn’t mean that you won’t need some accommodations. If you feel like you need accommodation in certain areas, don’t be afraid to ask your employer. Whether it’s working different hours or receiving assistance with certain tasks, your employer should be able to accommodate you.
Listen to Your Body
When you return to work, you should pay careful attention to your body. If you feel pain or discomfort when performing certain tasks, you should inform your employer and doctor right away. Ignoring what your body is telling you could lead to further injuries.
Contact Your Lawyer if Your Employer Retaliates
Unfortunately, some employers become angry when their employees take time off work for injuries and retaliate against them. If this happens to you, don’t get discouraged. Contact your lawyer as soon as possible and inform him or her about what is going on. Your lawyer contact your employer and protect your legal rights.
Consulting with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you were recently injured at work, you should speak to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer soon. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be complex, and you want someone with knowledge and experience on your side. A workers’ compensation lawyer, like a Milwaukee work injury lawyer from Hickey & Turim, SC, can help you obtain the benefits you deserve.