Your Georgia workers’ compensation light-duty job needs to fit the limits your authorized treating physician approved. If your assigned work asks you to do more than those limits allow, let someone know right away. Don’t try to push through symptoms or leave the job without talking to your doctor or attorney first.
Georgia uses a WC-240 form to make a formal offer of suitable employment. Take a close look at the offer and compare it to your medical restrictions. If there’s a conflict, it could affect your recovery and your weekly income benefits.
What Makes a Light-Duty Job Suitable in Georgia?
Under the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation’s 2025 Rules, your authorized treating physician has to approve the job as suitable for your condition. The written offer should spell out the essential duties, pay, hours, location, and reporting date. Your employer needs to give you this notice at least 10 days before you’re expected to return.
A job title doesn’t always tell you what the work really involves. If you work in a CSRA plant or warehouse, a job called “light duty” might still mean repeated bending, long hours on concrete floors, or lifting more than your limit.
Which Details Should You Compare With Your Restrictions?
Look at the written job description and compare it to the restrictions in your latest medical report. Check for:
- lifting and carrying limits
- standing, sitting, walking, or driving time
- bending, reaching, climbing, or repetitive movement
- shifts, breaks, location, and reporting time
- duties missing from the written offer
Let your doctor know what the job really asks you to do. Sometimes the physician’s approval doesn’t cover duties that were left out of the description.
Can Refusing Light Duty Affect Your Benefits?
Yes, it can. The official WC-240 notice explains that if you refuse suitable work without a good reason, your employer or insurer might suspend your income benefits. Don’t ignore the notice or try to refuse the position on your own.
At The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins, we help injured workers address return-to-work issues after a job injury, including disputes over light duty and medical restrictions.
What If You Try the Job but Can’t Continue?
Rule 240 gives you a trial-return period. If you work at least eight hours total or one scheduled workday but can’t keep going through the 15-workday trial, you can get your income benefits reinstated right away. Your employer or insurer might still question whether the job was suitable, so make sure to document what happened and reach out to your authorized doctor as soon as possible.
FAQ About Light Duty and Work Restrictions
Can my employer change my duties after I return?
Your work needs to stay within the description and restrictions your physician approved. If anything important changes, write it down.
What if my supervisor asks me to exceed my restrictions?
Report the conflict promptly and seek guidance from your doctor and attorney.
What should I do when I receive a WC-240 notice?
Look over the duties, pay, hours, location, reporting date, and attached medical approval before you respond.
Talk With a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Bryan S. Hawkins focuses only on Georgia workers’ compensation and has experience representing both employers and insurers. If your light-duty job doesn’t match your work restrictions, The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins can review your offer, medical limits, and claim history. Reach out to our Augusta or Greensboro office for a free initial consultation.
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