Returning to Work

In the wake of your injury, the ultimate goal of all involved, is getting you well again and back to work.

• Keep in touch with your employer
  Open communication paves the way for a successful return to work. You have an obligation to keep in touch with your employer and advise them of any changes in your condition.

• Return-to-work scenarios
  Your employer will make every effort to bring you back to work as soon as possible and make reasonable accommodation for your return. You, in turn, must accept work that you are physically able to do.
  
  Possible scenarios
  
  • Back to work as usual 
    You completely recover from your injury and return to your job.
  • Modified work 
    Your return to work requires modifications to the job you previously performed.  
  • Transitional work  
    When physical restrictions are more severe, you may be placed in an alternate duty position until your regain abilities.
  • New job  
    Unfortunately, there are some cases in which, despite all efforts, your employer will not have work to accommodate you. If this happens, you have an obligation to begin looking for new work.

• Reduction or suspension of benefits
  If you recover, either in part or in whole, and you fail to make a good-faith effort to return to work, MEMIC may suspend you weekly compensation benefits. If this were the case, you would be notified by mail.

• Vocational rehabilitation  
  Vocational rehabilitation benefits may or may not be available to you depending on the state your claim is filed in. Please ask your claim handler or consult your state workers' compensation agency for eligibility. If it is available, it may include job evaluation and training services, and job search assistance and return-to-work follow-up.