When an injury happens on the job, it can turn a worker's life upside down. Many Kentucky employees recovering from a workplace injury are told they can return to work on "light duty." While it may sound simple, light duty work can have a significant impact on a workers' compensation claim — and understanding how it works can make a major difference in your recovery and your benefits.
If you've been assigned light duty after a work injury, talk with Haydon Blackmon PLLC right away. The sooner you get legal guidance, the easier it is to protect your benefits. Contact us today or call (502) 490-2214 to schedule a consultation.
What "Light Duty" Work Really Means
"Light duty" refers to a temporary or modified job that an employer offers to an injured worker while they recover. It's usually designed to fit the worker's medical restrictions — meaning fewer physical demands, shorter hours, or different responsibilities.
For example:
- A warehouse worker with a back injury may be moved to an office role for a few weeks.
- A nurse recovering from a hand injury may be assigned to charting or paperwork instead of patient lifting.
- A construction worker could handle safety checks instead of heavy labor.
The goal is to help workers stay active and earn income while healing — but it's essential to know that accepting or refusing light duty can affect your benefits.
How Light Duty Impacts Workers' Compensation Benefits
Under Kentucky law, workers' compensation provides wage replacement (temporary total disability benefits) when a worker is unable to perform their regular job due to injury. If your employer offers suitable light duty work within your doctor's restrictions, your benefits may change.
Here's how:
- If you accept light duty and earn less than before the injury, you may still receive partial wage benefits to make up the difference.
- If you refuse a valid light duty offer without a good reason, your wage benefits could stop.
- If the light duty job exceeds your medical limits, you should report it to your doctor immediately. Doing tasks beyond your restrictions can delay recovery and jeopardize your claim.
Light duty assignments are supposed to match your medical condition. Always keep your treating physician informed about any tasks you're asked to perform.
Common Issues Kentucky Workers Face with Light Duty
While light duty can help some workers transition back to employment, it often presents challenges — especially when employers or insurers push for a quick return.
Common issues include:
- Being asked to perform tasks outside medical restrictions
- Earning much less pay than before
- Feeling pressured to return to work before healing is complete
- Confusion about whether benefits should continue
If any of these situations arise, it's best to seek legal guidance from a Kentucky workers' compensation attorney. Haydon Blackmon PLLC 's workers' compensation team helps injured employees understand their rights and ensure they receive the benefits they're owed.
Steps to Protect Yourself When Assigned Light Duty
Kentucky workers can take a few simple steps to make sure light duty doesn't harm their recovery or benefits:
- Get everything in writing. Request written details about your light duty job duties, schedule, and pay rate.
- Confirm with your doctor. Make sure your physician reviews and approves the light duty assignment.
- Track your symptoms. If your condition worsens after returning to work, notify your doctor immediately.
- Keep copies of all paperwork. Save medical reports, employer correspondence, and pay stubs.
- Contact a workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Having legal support ensures that your benefits and rights stay protected throughout your recovery.
When Light Duty Isn't Available
Sometimes, an employer doesn't have any suitable light duty work available. In those cases, injured workers generally remain entitled to full temporary total disability benefits until they're medically cleared to return to regular duties.
If your employer claims light duty is available but you never receive details, or if the work doesn't meet your doctor's restrictions, that may also affect your right to continued benefits. Don't assume you have to accept unsafe or improper assignments.
How Legal Guidance Can Help
Navigating light duty work and workers' compensation benefits can be confusing, especially when you're trying to recover. An experienced attorney can:
- Review your light duty offer and your doctor's restrictions
- Help communicate with your employer and insurance company
- Ensure you're receiving the correct benefits
- Step in quickly if your rights are being ignored
Bardstown Workers' Compensation Lawyer
If you're dealing with a light duty work situation after a job injury, you don't have to face it alone. Haydon Blackmon PLLC helps Kentucky workers understand their rights, protect their income, and focus on healing.
Visit our workers' compensation page to learn more or contact us online today. You can also call (502) 490-2214 to speak with our team about your case.