Having to deal with a work-related injury can be stressful for a multitude of reasons, beyond the pain of the injury itself. A work injury can alter your daily routines and thrust you into a pile of complicated paperwork, which can all impact your mood. Oftentimes, these and many other factors lead injured workers to ask whether or not it is possible to return to some type of work, even if it means choosing another company or a different job. This begs the question – can an injured worker work a second job while they receive workers’ compensation benefits?
Unfortunately, the short answer to this question is no, injured workers cannot work a second job if they hope to continue to receive their workers’ compensation benefits. However, the explanation as to why this is not possible is a bit more complicated.
What If You Already Had Another Job?
If you were already two jobs at the time of your injury, the workers’ compensation benefits you receive might either completely cover or partially cover the loss of your second income, so it is crucial that you get ahead of this in your claim when filing for workers’ compensation benefits by reporting any income you received at the time of your injury. Having two jobs tends to complicate the process of filing for workers’ compensation benefits, however, so hiring an attorney who is experienced in handling such matters is a must.
What If You Can Still Work Your Second Job?
This is an issue that frequently comes up in cases where an injured worker has two jobs and the secondary job that did not cause their injury is less physically demanding and requires shorter hours. Even though this job might not even be in the same industry and it might be less labor-intensive, saying that you are able to still perform your job duties can affect the success of your workers’ compensation claim. It might even be used against you as evidence that you are also capable of performing your primary job, in which case, your benefits will be cut off.
Of course, if you did not already have a second job at the time, trying to seek one now would be just as bad an idea as continuing to work a second job if you already had one. Obtaining a second job will generally lessen your benefits or eliminate them entirely. Ultimately, if you were injured on the job and hope to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you should stay out of the workforce and focus on your recovery.
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Orange County
If you suffered an injury at your place of work and are now embarking on the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim, you will need to hire skilled legal representation as soon as possible to ensure it goes smoothly and without error. At Alvandi Law Group, P.C., our team of workers’ compensation attorneys in Orange County are dedicated to assisting injured workers obtain the benefits to which they are entitled.
Get started on your workers’ compensation case today and contact our law office at (800) 980-6905 to request your free initial case evaluation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. You will not owe us any legal fees unless we win your case.