Light Duty

If a doctor determines that a claimant can return to work while healing but places substantial restrictions on their physical activities, the claimant  may be eligible for “light duty” work with their employer, also known as modified duty, restricted duty or transitional duty.  There is no workers’ compensation law that requires an employer to offer light duty, however.  If the employer says that the claimant may not return to work until they can perform full duty, they must pay temporary total disability benefits.  If that employer offers light duty work in writing according to workers’ compensation rules of procedure, the claimant risks losing their temporary benefits if they fail to show up for work on the scheduled date.