A severe injury can be constricting to your productivity. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may remain immobile or have partial mobility for several days, weeks, or months. For those who have skipped their jobs due to injury, there is often anxiety about when they can go back to work, and if they will be able to perform their jobs properly.
The process of going back to work after an injury can be made simpler through the help of your doctor, physical therapist, employer, family, friends, and other concerned individuals.
Some simple guidelines on when to return to work after a severe injury will be shared here.
Obtain a Fit to Work Clearance from Your Physician
Seeking medical attention immediately after a severe injury is vital in determining the extent of the injury you sustained and the number of days you will need for rehabilitation or recovery. Regular communication with your attending physician can help you keep track of the date you will be able to return to work. Some patients would also request to have the fit-to-work clearance granted if they can show faster progress in recovering from their injuries. Severe external injuries like burns, wounds, bruises and other superficial damages can take a few days of absence from work, and you can secure a fit note or clearance from a doctor once the injuries are no longer painful and have been properly patched up.
Second and third-degree burn injuries can be managed with regular replacement of burn dressings and application of topical antibiotics. Personal injury lawyers from justcallmoe.com/burn-injuries advise that documentation of medical diagnosis, prescriptions, and bills should be kept if you think that circumstances behind your burn injury or other physical injuries are caused by a third party’s negligence. A fit-to-work clearance does not affect the validity of your compensation claim if ever you file one. An experienced lawyer will see to it that your compensation claim will cover ongoing and future treatment and rehabilitation costs. The fit note is also a way of showing that there was an interruption in your productive hours as a worker due to the injury you sustained, and it should also be rightfully compensated.
Acquire a Certification from an Occupational Therapist
There are times when the days allotted for recuperation and recovery by your doctor may seem too long for you. You may already feel strong and healthy enough to get back to work, but you will need a professional who can help support your intent to work. An occupational therapist can help assess your condition and give a recommendation for an earlier issuance of fit-to-work clearance to your doctor. The therapist will determine if you are mentally and emotionally prepared to work again and if returning to work is a valid rehabilitation goal for you. They will know if your desire to go back to work stems out of boredom, necessity, or as an adaptive recovery response. Being a heavy equipment driver or forklift operator requires you to have excellent hand-eye coordination, and getting back to work is some sort of rehabilitative therapy that may warrant you a recommendation to get back to work early.
Arrange Your Work Hours or Duties with Your Employer
Some circumstances necessitate your return to work early. Most severe injuries are accidental and sudden, which means there are often no contingency measures following your absence. Unless there is more than one person who can handle your duties and responsibilities, covering for your part will not be a problem. Depending on the structure of the organization you work for, your training and specialties will be needed soon if your substitutes or relievers could not handle the task well. Operators of machines like forklifts, telehandlers, scissor lifts, or carry deck cranes have specialized training and experience, and are often difficult to replace. You can arrange to have your work hours reduced or work on a consultancy or supervisory basis for the meantime if your doctor does not allow physical exertion and activities under pressure. A work-from-home arrangement is a viable option for transitioning to your full-time work while you are still under rehabilitative treatment. Working remotely helps you get enough rest and stay on track with your recovery program. As your injuries heal eventually, you can arrange for your return as a full-time worker in the company.
Depending on the severity and aftermath of the injury, a person’s ability to perform the same job may be affected. Third-degree burns, crush injuries, deep wounds, and other related severe injuries can affect the nerve endings, especially if the injury site is in the extremities. These injuries often result in loss of sensation and dexterity in the affected area, which can limit your range of functions and productivity. You can arrange with your employer to help change your role or task according to where you can be most productive in your current condition.
Various circumstances can prompt you to return to work after a severe injury. Whatever your reason for returning to work may be, you need to coordinate with your doctor and employer about your decision. You have the ultimate knowledge of your own body, so the answer to when or how soon you can go back to work after a severe injury is how fit or healthy you feel as you recover.
