For the past 5 weeks we have been discussing how different parts of your work injury case will impact the value of your settlement.
This week we will look at the inability to return to the job you had immediately had before your work accident.
This must be directly related to your work injury and due to permanent restrictions.
For instance, if your former employer tells you that they no longer have a job for you because of reduction in force but you have no restrictions related to your injury then it is not considered a Workers’ Compensation loss of occupation.
However, if you have an injury with permanent restrictions that will prevent you from returning to work then it is a required job change for the purposes of Illinois Workers’ Compensation.
For example, if you are injured at work and you cannot stand for more than 2 hours of the work day and your former occupation required standing for most of the day then you will no longer be able to perform this type of work.
It is vital that your doctor put your permanent restrictions in writing.
Once you are unable to return to work at your former job the question becomes what type of work you are able to perform within your restrictions.
The value of your settlement increases substantially when you are unable to return to your former work.
Questions about your work injury and settlement? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Injury Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.