You reported your work injury, sought medical treatment, and thought you were doing the right thing by accepting light duty. But now your condition is worsening. The “light” tasks your employer assigned aren’t helping you heal—they’re making your injury worse. This isn’t just bad luck. It could be your employer’s negligence, and you have legal rights they don’t want you to know about.
The Light Duty Trap: How Employers Game the System
Many employers use light duty assignments as a way to avoid paying full workers’ compensation benefits. They’ll tell you it’s for your benefit, but the reality is different.
True light duty should accommodate your doctor’s exact restrictions—no lifting over 10 pounds, limited standing, no repetitive motions. Instead, employers often assign tasks that push or exceed these limits, hoping you’ll either quit or return to full duty before you’re medically ready.
This isn’t accommodation; it’s a calculated strategy to minimize their costs at your expense.
Your Injury Gets Worse—Now What?
When improper light duty assignments aggravate your original injury, you’re facing a double blow. Not only are you dealing with prolonged pain and delayed healing, but you may have developed new complications that require additional medical treatment. Some workers end up with permanent disabilities that could have been prevented with proper accommodations.
The financial impact hits hard: extended time off work, mounting medical bills, and the possibility that you may never fully recover to your pre-injury condition.
Ohio Law is on Your Side
Here’s what employers don’t want you to know: when they assign light duty that violates your medical restrictions, they’re breaking Ohio workers’ compensation law. You have the right to refuse assignments that exceed your doctor’s limitations without fear of retaliation. If your condition worsens due to inappropriate work assignments, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond your original claim.
Your employer cannot force you to choose between your health and your job!
Fight Back Before It’s Too Late
Document every conversation about your light duty assignments. Keep records of tasks you’re asked to perform versus your medical restrictions. Report any symptom changes to your doctor immediately and make sure it’s noted in your medical records. Take photos of your work environment if it doesn’t accommodate your restrictions.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you hold employers accountable when they prioritize profits over your recovery. When they make your injury worse through negligence, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
