returning to work after an injury

Can Returning to Work Too Soon Hurt Your Personal Injury Claim?

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People involved in a car crash often wonder when they will be able to return to work. Financial needs or the desire to go back to normalcy are typically the main motivations. Many victims resume work too quickly as they are concerned about their employer or colleagues judging them for taking time off work to recover.

A skilled car accident attorney can help car accident victims in California collect compensation for their injuries. This will alleviate the financial pressure propelling you to return to work too soon. An attorney will fight aggressively for the rightful compensation that you deserve.

When Should You Go Back to Work?

There is no set time for every injury victim to resume work after a wreck. Your time away from work can only be determined by your doctor, depending on your work profile and injuries. Auto accident victims can suffer from:

  • Physical Injuries
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

When consulting your doctor, ask them about when you can think about going back to work. Remember, you are allowed to take a break and let your body recover, and you should return to work when you truly feel well and are cleared by your doctor to do so.

Resuming work too soon could have a detrimental effect on your recovery. If you feel like you are still not ready to return to work, you can aggravate your injuries and potentially take more time off work. As many people have sedentary jobs, it may seem possible to return to work soon. However, remaining seated in an office chair could hurt your back, while headaches may become worse by staring at a computer screen.

Will Working have an Adverse Effect on Your Claim?

At times, injury victims may feel anxious about going back to work before the settlement of their claim. They may believe that resuming work indicates they have recovered and do not need compensation for their injuries. But this is not the case.

As stated earlier, there is no specific timeline for everyone who has been in a car wreck to return to work, and it depends on the nature and extent of your injuries. If you return to work, your claim will not be ruined. You can still claim lost income for the period that you had to miss work due to your accident injuries.

To be able to resume work, you certainly have to feel better. However, this does not necessarily mean that you are completely healed. While your doctor may clear you to go back to work before fully recovering, you might need to take breaks during the day or perform some exercise that will aid your healing. If there was a possibility that it would prevent your injuries from healing, your doctor wouldn’t allow you to return to work.

In a bid to get back to normalcy, people tend to minimize situations. But this should not be the thought process when it comes to auto accidents. These devastating events cause injuries that are much more intense than a mere bruise. Upon experiencing such an event, your mind and body need time to relax and heal. Listening to your body and seeking your doctor’s advice is the ideal path to recovery for you.

Suggestions for Taking Time Off Work

When taking time off, make sure that you follow company rules. An auto accident represents a literal and metaphoric pain in the neck. Correlating with this, follow the below-mentioned suggestions to make the process easier:

  • Speak to your employer as soon as you can
  • Get a doctor’s note
  • Retain all documents
  • Maintain communication with your supervisor or manager
  • Ask about working from home for some time if possible
  • Request to avoid any physical responsibilities that may worsen your injuries
  • Stay in touch with human resources and seek concise instructions

If you cooperate with your HR department and employer, they will also be more willing to make accommodations for your circumstances.

How much is My Auto Accident Claim Worth?

Following are a few factors that help assess the size of a car crash claim:

  • The accident’s severity and consequent injuries
  • The age, pre-crash health, and income of the victim
  • The likelihood of the victim making a “full” recovery
  • The expenses associated with achieving a “full” recovery
  • The number of parties who have legal responsibility for our client’s damages
  • Whether the parties with legal accountability are individuals or companies
  • The level of negligence involved in the car wreck

Will Working Delay my Recovery?

The only person who can answer this question is your doctor. They are best positioned to understand what is happening to you physically and evaluate whether going back to work is appropriate. But if everything checks out and you are feeling alright, it would probably be a good idea for you to resume work and get back to a normal lifestyle.

Please do not let your car accident prevent you from doing what is in your best interests. This includes addressing all medical concerns with your doctor, including when you can return to work. Working should not have an impact on your claim.

If you are a victim of a car accident and sustained injuries due to someone else’s recklessness, consult a skilled La Mesa, CA car accident lawyer at Garmo & Garmo today. Call (619) 441-2500 for a no-charge case review.