Wisconsin Workers' Compensation: What Happens If You Can't Return to Your Old Job?

A workplace injury can affect more than your immediate health. For some injured workers, lasting injuries or medical restrictions can make returning to the same job or performing the same duties difficult or impossible.

If you cannot return to your previous job after a work injury, you may have questions about your employment, income, medical restrictions, and benefits. Wisconsin workers’ compensation may provide benefits to eligible employees who are injured at work, but the situation can become more complicated when an injury affects your ability to return to your previous position.

Understanding your rights and options can help you navigate the return-to-work process and determine what steps may be appropriate for your situation.

Returning to Work After a Workplace Injury

Every workplace injury and recovery is different. Some employees can return to their regular duties after treatment, while others may return with temporary or permanent medical restrictions.

Your treating medical provider may place restrictions on activities such as lifting, standing, bending, driving, or performing repetitive movements. Depending on your occupation and the nature of your injury, these restrictions may affect your ability to perform some or all your previous job duties.

Following the restrictions established by your medical provider and communicating those restrictions to your employer are important parts of the return-to-work process.

What If Your Employer Cannot Accommodate Your Work Restrictions?

In some situations, an employer may be able to provide modified or light-duty work that falls within an injured employee’s medical restrictions. However, suitable work may not always be available.

If your employer cannot provide work within your restrictions, questions may arise about your Wisconsin workers’ compensation benefits and what happens next.

The answer depends on the circumstances of your claim, including your medical condition, work restrictions, ability to work, and employment situation. Because every worker’s compensation claim is different, understanding how Wisconsin law applies to your specific circumstances can be important.

What If You Can’t Return to Your Previous Job?

Some workplace injuries result in lasting restrictions that prevent an employee from returning to the same position or type of work they performed before the injury.

When this happens, an injured worker may have questions about future employment, income, or whether additional education or training could help them transition into different jobs. The Wisconsin workers’ compensation system includes provisions that may apply when a workplace injury affects an employee’s ability to return to work. The options available depend on the circumstances surrounding the injury, medical restrictions, employment situation, and other factors.

Why Medical Documentation Matters

Medical documentation can play an important role when a workplace injury affects your ability to return to your previous job.

Keep copies of medical records and work restrictions related to your injury. Document communications with your employer about returning to work and keeping information related to your workers’ compensation claim organized.

It is also important to continue attending recommended medical appointments and following the restrictions established by your medical provider.

Having clear records can help document your recovery, restrictions, and ability to work throughout the workers’ compensation process.

Understanding Your Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Options

Not knowing whether you can return to your previous job can add another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult recovery. Understanding your medical restrictions and how they may affect your workers’ compensation claim can help you make informed decisions about what comes next.

At Di Renzo & Bomier, we work with injured employees throughout Northeast Wisconsin to help them understand their rights and options under Wisconsin workers’ compensation law.

If a workplace injury is preventing you from returning to your previous job or you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim, our team is here to provide guidance.

We’re Here For You.