How many hours can you work on light duty after a work-related injury in Ohio? This is a common question for those looking to support themselves while still recovering from a workplace injury.
As a seasoned Cincinnati workers’ comp attorney, Mark L. Newman and his team understand the importance of balancing recovery with earning wages, which is why we’re here to guide you through light-duty work and workers’ comp benefits in Ohio.
Even if you’re working fewer hours or earning less than your regular wages, Ohio workers’ compensation can provide partial benefits to cover the gap between your pre-injury earnings and your light-duty pay.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you’ll be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits while on light-duty assignment at your place of employment, contact Cincinnati workers’ compensation attorney Mark L. Newman today.
Call (513) 533-2009 to speak to Attorney Newman regarding your case.
What is Considered Light Duty Work?
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, light duty work is work in which an individual’s job is performed at reduced physical capabilities. In other words, light duty work refers to modified tasks or reduced responsibilities assigned to an employee recovering from an injury, allowing them to perform work within their current physical limitations.
A person on light duty assignment will typically experience work adjustments like fewer hours, lighter lifting requirements, or alternative duties that avoid aggravating the injury.
Light Duty Work Restrictions in Ohio
Light-duty work often includes specific restrictions designed to help employees heal without straining their injury or re-injuring themselves.
Light-duty restrictions vary depending on the injury and the employer, but may include things like:
- Restricting the weight an employee can lift;
- Adjusting shift lengths to allow for shorter work periods and more recovery time;
- Limiting the amount of time an employee spends standing or walking;
- Restricting repetitive actions, such as bending, twisting, or reaching;
- Keeping the employee away from potentially dangerous areas, such as operating heavy machinery or handling hazardous materials; and
- Modifying tasks to avoid strenuous physical activities, like pushing or pulling heavy objects.
How Light Duty Affects Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Ohio
Light duty work can impact your Ohio workers’ compensation benefits by potentially reducing the amount you receive if you’re earning wages again, even at a modified capacity.
Workers’ comp benefits are meant to provide you with medical benefits and compensation for lost wages while you are unable to work in the wake of a workplace accident. If you begin working while you are still recovering, this can reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
For instance, if you were receiving temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, these payments might be reduced or changed to working wage loss (WWL) benefits once you begin earning wages, even if it’s in a limited role.
Returning to Full Duty from Light Duty
Returning to full duty from light duty as an injured worker typically involves a gradual transition guided by your healthcare provider’s recommendations. As your condition improves, your doctor may adjust your work restrictions, allowing you to take on more of your regular tasks over time.
Once you’re medically cleared for full duty, your employer will restore your usual responsibilities, although some programs may require a final assessment to ensure you’re fit to resume all duties without risk of re-injury.
Ohio Light-Duty Work FAQs
No, an employer is not legally required to offer an injured worker a light duty job under Ohio workers' compensation law, but they may choose to do so.
This will often depend on the nature of the work and workplace, the employer’s policies, and the availability of suitable tasks within the employee's medical restrictions.
If you’re unable to work a full-time light-duty position, you may still be eligible for certain workers’ compensation benefits to help cover lost wages. Typically, wage loss benefits are meant to provide a portion of the difference between your pre-injury wages and your current earnings. This can include while you’re on light duty.
In Ohio, there isn't a specific legal limit on the number of hours you can work while on light duty. The number of hours assigned to you will typically depend on your medical restrictions and the nature of the light-duty tasks available at your workplace.
Yes, your employer can reduce your hours if you’re on light duty, particularly if fewer hours are part of your medical restrictions or if the light-duty tasks are limited. While reduced hours may impact your income, workers' comp benefits may help supplement lost wages through partial disability benefits.
Generally, an employer cannot legally fire you simply because you’re on light duty after a work-related injury. Workers' compensation laws are designed to protect injured employees from retaliation or discrimination due to their injury status.
However, an employer may terminate an employee on light duty for unrelated reasons, such as documented performance issues or layoffs affecting the entire workforce.
According to an Ohio Court of Appeals ruling made in 2021, an injured employee cannot refuse an appropriate light-duty job offer that has been made to them by their employer in good faith.
While this ruling does not give employers the ability to offer injured workers any available position in order to avoid having to make workers’ comp payments, it does prevent injured workers from refusing any suitable light duty job presented to them by their employer in order to reap the benefits of not working while receiving workers’ comp.
If you believe that your employer has offered you a position that does not meet your medical limitations and/or was not made in good faith, contact a workers’ comp attorney regarding your case.
The duration you can stay on modified duty depends on your recovery progress and the recommendations of your healthcare provider. In Ohio, there’s no limit to how long you can be on modified duty, but typically, you will be able to return to work once you have reached maximum medical improvement and can perform your regular job duties.
How Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Attorney Mark L. Newman Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, Attorney Mark L. Newman can help you through every step of the process, ensuring that you can focus on recovering from your injury. He’s here to ensure that you have benefits that support your recovery and financial needs.
If you need help with your workers’ compensation claim, reach out to Ohio workers’ comp lawyer Mark Newman by calling (513) 533-2009 or completing our online intake form to schedule a free consultation today.
