If you have been injured, you may wonder how – and when – you will return to work. For most people who become injured, returning to work is a goal and a necessity. However, some injuries require a long recovery time or specific limitations can decrease the chance of working in the near future.
It’s no secret that injuries are expensive, and returning to work is imperative for financial reasons as well as for quality of life reasons. It’s no secret that injuries are expensive, and returning to work is imperative for financial reasons as well as for quality of life reasons. If you have been injured and are returning to work in some capacity, you will need to be realistic as you return to your work role. Here are a few tips to keep you healthy and productive.
Be Honest with Your Needs
Before you return to work, have a candid conversation with your supervisor. Express your eagerness to return to work as well as your worries. If you need special modifications, such as frequent breaks or adaptive equipment, let your supervisor know before you clock in for the first time. This way, your workplace can be ready with the tools you need to be successful as soon as you return to the office.
Allow for Rest
Returning to work after an injury can be exhausting, and fatigue will only lengthen your recovery or exasperate your symptoms. During your first month of returning to work, keep your personal calendar fairly clear from too many obligations. Allow time to nap on the couch or watch a movie with your kiddo after your shift. Pushing yourself at work and at home can be detrimental to your recovery process.
Communicate with Your Doctor
Your doctor is your partner, and you should communicate with the office regularly once returning to work. Mention if you are feeling weak or fatigued, and leave a message with the doctor office if you are in pain. Your doctor will be monitoring your return to work as well and may need to tweak your plan for work if the activity negatively affects your health.
Keep Your Lawyer in the Loop
If you have been injured, working with an attorney is imperative. Your attorney is your guide through insurance bureaucracy and will work to get you compensation. Before you return to work, contact your attorney and keep in touch as you navigate the first months of your return. Your attorney will not only want to wish you well and encourage you but will be sure to advocate for you if your health is being negatively affected by your schedule or duties.
Have you been injured and are worried about returning to work? Give our office a call to schedule your free consultation. Our team is experienced in giving our clients the outcome they deserve, and we would be honored to partner with you during this time.