What if my doctor sends me back to work when I’m still injured after a work accident?
In Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system, employers and their insurance carriers often direct injured workers to specific physicians for the first 90 days of treatment. These company-selected doctors may face pressure to return employees to work quickly, potentially before full healing has occurred.
You have the option to seek a second opinion from an independent physician of your choice. You can also request specific work accommodations and restrictions, rather than refusing to return. A doctor authorizing light-duty or modified work creates an official record of your limitations while preserving benefit eligibility. Filing a petition to review if the insurance carrier threatens to terminate benefits based on a premature work release initiates a formal process where a workers' compensation judge evaluates both medical opinions.
Regardless of the choice you make, it’s important to document all symptoms through detailed notes about pain levels, limitations, medication needs, and how these factors affect your ability to perform specific job functions. Returning to work prematurely can lead to worsening symptoms, further complications, and other difficulties.
Hurt at work? Our experienced personal injury attorneys can provide a evaluation of your situation. Contact Munley Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Note: Every accident case is unique, and settlement amounts vary.
