[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/can-i-get-another-job-while-on-workers-comp\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/can-i-get-another-job-while-on-workers-comp\/","headline":"Can I Get Another Job While On Workers\u2019 Comp?","name":"Can I Get Another Job While On Workers\u2019 Comp?","description":"If you have been injured on the job as the result of an accident or occupational disease and cannot work, you may be eligible for workers\u2019 comp benefits including disability payments and medical bills. However, if you are considering taking a new job while you have an open workers\u2019 comp...","datePublished":"2023-07-20","dateModified":"2026-01-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/author\/robert-c-younce\/#Person","name":"Robert C. Younce, JR","url":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/author\/robert-c-younce\/","identifier":42,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6647152964850e1d70dfca41b41571c73be8e36d0c6971401b8744fe1d25f8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6647152964850e1d70dfca41b41571c73be8e36d0c6971401b8744fe1d25f8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks P.A.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/logo2020b.png","url":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/logo2020b.png","width":390,"height":107}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/workers-comp-employed.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/workers-comp-employed.jpg","height":600,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/can-i-get-another-job-while-on-workers-comp\/","about":["Workers compensation"],"wordCount":915,"articleBody":"If you have been injured on the job as the result of an accident or occupational disease and cannot work, you may be eligible for workers\u2019 comp benefits including disability payments and medical bills. However, if you are considering taking a new job while you have an open workers\u2019 comp claim, you should discuss the matter with a knowledgeable workers\u2019 compensation attorney. A job change could affect your receipt of workers\u2019 comp wage replacement benefits.The\u00a0Raleigh workers\u2019 compensation attorneys\u00a0at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can review your claim and advise you of your rights when taking a new job while receiving workers\u2019 comp benefits.North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation law is complex. Making the wrong decision can result in having to present your case to the North Carolina Industrial Commission, which oversees the workers\u2019 compensation insurance system. Two of our attorneys,\u00a0Chip Younce and\u00a0David E. Vtipil,\u00a0are Board Certified Specialists in Workers\u2019 Compensation Law in North Carolina. We can help you pursue all of the benefits you are legally entitled to by law.To learn more about how we can help you seek the benefits you deserve,\u00a0contact us today\u00a0for a free claim review and advice about your legal options.Does Working Endanger My Workers\u2019 Comp Benefits?The objective of providing workers\u2019 compensation insurance is to support workers if they are injured on the job until they recover and are ready to return to work. There are two primary benefits under workers\u2019 comp:Medical benefits, which cover all medical costs associated with the covered workplace injuryWage replacement benefits, which pay two-thirds of the employee\u2019s average weekly wage while they cannot workYour workers\u2019 compensation medical benefits should not be affected by your employment or work status as long as you follow doctors\u2019 orders for treatment and care.Should I Take a Second Job While On Workers\u2019 Compensation?Because wage replacement benefits do not cover the employee\u2019s full salary, an injured worker might consider obtaining part-time work to make up the difference. In other cases, an injured worker might seek a new job with the intention of resigning from their previous job.There are many issues to consider when taking a job while on workers\u2019 compensation:You should not resume work unless the physician overseeing the treatment of your work-related injury has cleared you to perform the duties of the job you intend to take.If the new job pays more than your old job, then the insurance company will discontinue your disability benefit. You must inform them of your new job as a failure to do so while getting disability benefits and wages from your new job could be considered fraud. If your new job pays less than what you made on average at your old job, then workers\u2019 comp may owe you 2\/3rd of the difference between your new job\u2019s wages and your old job\u2019s average weekly wage. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not do this voluntarily.If you were to learn that you cannot perform your new job duties because of your injury, you might be able to resume your full wage replacement benefit. A lawyer could help you get your disability payments reinstated.You May Be Able to Get a New Job with the Same EmployerAn employer may offer a temporary light-duty position to an injured employee who is still recovering but can do some work.If a new or light-duty job with your current employer pays less than your previous position, you could continue to receive wage replacement payments to make up the difference.However, your employer is not obligated to keep a job open for you as you recover from a workplace injury. You can be laid off at any time.\u00a0But if your doctor releases you to return to light-duty work while you still in medical treatment and your employer offers you a light-duty job,\u00a0you must take it or give up additional workers\u2019 compensation benefits.Should I Wait Until I\u2019m Fully Healed Before Changing Jobs?When receiving workers\u2019 compensation benefits, you should wait until the physician declares that you have fully recovered or have reached your maximum possible recovery before you take new employment. You should also talk to your lawyer before accepting any new employmentBefore starting a new job, advise your new employer of any medical restrictions you have. If you expect to continue to receive wage replacement benefits, you should notify your old employer\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation insurance carrier about the new job, its duties, and how much you will be paid.Do not conceal a prior disabling workplace injury or its impact on your ability to perform the duties of your job from a new employerContact Our Raleigh Workers\u2019 Compensation Lawyers for HelpLet the workers\u2019 comp lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A.,\u00a0advise you if you are considering a change in your employment or have other concerns while receiving workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Workers\u2019 comp law can be complicated, and employers and insurers may try to use your change of employment as an opportunity to stop providing benefits.An experienced North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can review your claim for free and advise you about your legal options. If you are due workers\u2019 compensation benefits that you\u2019re not receiving, we\u2019ll use our knowledge of North Carolina law to help you pursue them. Call us or\u00a0contact us online today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Can I Get Another Job While On Workers\u2019 Comp?","item":"https:\/\/www.attorneync.com\/blog\/can-i-get-another-job-while-on-workers-comp\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]