When you’re injured at work in Washington State, medical restrictions may prevent you from returning to your regular job right away. However, you may still be able to return to work in a light duty capacity while continuing to receive medical benefits. Research shows that the sooner you return to work, the more likely you are to preserve your long-term income, career, and health.
At Althauser Rayan Abbarno, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys help injured workers understand their rights and options when it comes to light duty and workers’ compensation claims in Washington.
💡 What is Light Duty?
Light duty is work offered by your employer that fits within the medical restrictions provided by your doctor. Light duty jobs don’t need to match your original position or job title—they simply must be safe for you to perform while you recover.
Returning to work after an injury is a team effort between you, your doctor, your employer, and the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). L&I can also help facilitate a smooth return to work through various programs and benefits.
🛠️ Examples of Light Duty Jobs
Light duty or transitional work may include:
- ⏱️ Working shorter hours while you recover.
- 📋 Performing some of your original duties part time, gradually returning to full-time.
- 🔄 Taking on new tasks with lighter physical demands.
- 🧰 Using modified tools, equipment, or workplace adjustments to meet your restrictions.
- 🏗️ Filling a temporary or custom-created role within your medical limits.
💵 Employers may also benefit from L&I’s Stay at Work program, which reimburses part of an injured worker’s wages and some expenses—such as tools, training, and equipment—when providing light duty.
🤔 Concerns About Returning to Work
It’s natural to worry about how returning to light duty will affect your workers’ compensation claim. Remember:
- ✅ You are still entitled to receive medical treatment for your accepted conditions until you reach maximum medical improvement.
- ❌ You are not required to accept work outside of your doctor’s restrictions.
- ⚠️ If you decline an approved light duty offer, you may lose eligibility for time-loss compensation. However, you may still qualify for Loss of Earning Power (LEP) benefits if the new job pays less or offers fewer hours.
💵 Loss of Earning Power (LEP) Benefits
Sometimes an employer may only be able to bring you back part-time or at a reduced pay rate. If your claim is still open, you may apply for LEP benefits, which help make up the difference between your pre-injury wages and your light duty wages.
📞 Light Duty Job Offer Complaints
If you have concerns about a light duty job offer, Washington State now has a Light Duty Job Offer Complaint Resolution Office.
- Speak to an attorney with Althauser Rayan Abbarno: (360) 736-1301
- 📠 Fax complaints to L&I: (360) 704-1982
- ☎️ Call for questions at L&I: (360) 902-3515
Be sure to provide:
- Worker name & phone number
- Claim number
- Copy of the written job offer
- Details about your concerns
👩⚖️ How Althauser Rayan Abbarno Can Help
Navigating workers’ compensation claims and light duty work can be confusing and stressful. At Althauser Rayan Abbarno, our attorneys help injured workers:
- 📝 Understand their rights under Washington workers’ compensation law.
- 🔎 Evaluate light duty job offers.
- 💵 Apply for time-loss compensation or Loss of Earning Power benefits.
- ⚖️ Resolve disputes with employers and L&I.
🌟 We offer free injury consultations and consultations in Spanish to better serve our community.
📲 Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
If you’ve been offered light duty or have questions about your workers’ compensation claim in Washington, contact the experienced team at Althauser Rayan Abbarno today.
📞 Call (360) 736-1301 for your free consultation (including consultations in Spanish).
We’re here to protect your rights, your income, and your future.
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