[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/working-while-receiving-workers-compensation\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/working-while-receiving-workers-compensation\/","headline":"Can You Continue Working While Receiving Workers\u2019 Compensation in Georgia?","name":"Can You Continue Working While Receiving Workers\u2019 Compensation in Georgia?","description":"Workers\u2019 compensation offers many benefits to help employees recover physically and financially when they suffer on-the-job injuries and illnesses. If you were injured or became ill at work, you might be wondering whether you can continue working while simultaneously receiving workers\u2019 compensation benefits. The answer is, \u201cYes and...","datePublished":"2022-10-24","dateModified":"2026-02-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/#Person","name":"John Sherrod","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/injured-patient.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/injured-patient.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/working-while-receiving-workers-compensation\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU","name":"Are there time deadlines for my workers' comp case? | Sherrod Bernard","description":"The statute of limitations is the time deadline a case must be filed by. In Georgia, the applicable statute of limitations for a workers' compensation case is one year. If the case is not filed by the applicable statute of limitations, the case is time-barred and forever lost. There are ways to extend the statute of limitations in cases where the employer voluntarily provided workers' compensation benefits after the injury. An injured worker must also be aware of another important time deadline. The injured worker must provide notice of his or her injury. This notice must be provided to the employer, and it must be done within 30 days from the time the worker has been injured on the job. \n\nAt Sherrod & Bernard, we recommend filing a claim as soon as the injury occurs.\n__________________________________\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-08-09T11:30:00+00:00","duration":"PT1M2S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KEV-0JWqgbU","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":109621}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":114}]},"about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":1064,"articleBody":"Workers\u2019 compensation offers many benefits to help employees recover physically and financially when they suffer on-the-job injuries and illnesses. If you were injured or became ill at work, you might be wondering whether you can continue working while simultaneously receiving workers\u2019 compensation benefits.The answer is, \u201cYes and no.\u201d Workers\u2019 compensation is meant to help injured employees precisely when they\u00a0cannot\u00a0continue working due to a work-related injury or illness. Therefore, it is somewhat counterintuitive to receive workers\u2019 compensation benefits while still working. That said, subject to some important restrictions, it is not impossible to have your cake and eat it too.Read on to learn more about working while receiving workers\u2019 compensation without compromising your benefits or running into legal trouble. To better understand your options, consult with a\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation attorney\u00a0about your rights as an injured employee. Call\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., today for a free consultation.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is Workers\u2019 Compensation?Workers\u2019 compensation is insurance offered by employers to cover employees when hurt on the job. In Georgia,\u00a0most employers with three or more full-time or part-time employees are required to provide workers\u2019 compensation insurance. Exceptions exist for railroad workers, farm workers, domestic servants, federal employees, and independent contractors.Importantly, workers\u2019 compensation is a kind of \u201cno-fault\u201d insurance. This means that injured employees are eligible for benefits regardless of whether they or their employer were responsible for the accident. Injured workers may be eligible to receive medical, rehabilitation, and income benefits.\u00a0However, in exchange for these no-fault benefits, workers cannot sue their employer to recover compensation\u00a0for their injuries.Understanding Light-Duty Work After an InjuryYou might be allowed to perform certain kinds of work subject to the limitations imposed by your injury or illness. For example, your employer could offer you \u201clight-duty work\u201d if your medical condition prevents you from completing the usual tasks of your occupation. Light-duty work might entail:Modified responsibilities in your jobReduced work hoursTransfer to another positionYour employer is not required to provide an alternative position or another form of work while you receive workers\u2019 compensation benefits through their insurance carrier. However, if your employer does offer you light-duty work that accommodates your limitations or restrictions and you refuse to accept, they could terminate your benefits.If your employer offers light-duty work as you recover from your injuries, it is a good idea to consult with a workers\u2019 compensation attorney before accepting. This will ensure that you know all your options and can make an informed decision.Can I Have a Second Job While Receiving Workers\u2019 Compensation?Again,\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0is meant to help you while you are not able to perform your normal work duties due to an on-the-job injury or illness. Therefore, evidence that you normally work two jobs performing similar duties may undermine your workers\u2019 compensation claim if you keep working one job and not the other due to a workplace injury.\u00a0In the worst-case scenario, your primary employer might assume you are lying about your injury and pursue fraud charges against you.That said, you might still be allowed to continue working your\u00a0second job while collecting workers\u2019 compensation benefits from your primary employer. However, bear in mind that one of the main goals of workers\u2019 compensation is to get you back to your full working capacity sooner than later. Therefore, your work-related responsibilities at the second job must not worsen the symptoms of your injury or illness.How Does a Second Job Impact My Benefits?In Georgia, you are entitled to workers\u2019 compensation income benefits if you cannot work for more than seven days due to a workplace injury or illness. You should receive two-thirds of your average weekly salary. This is calculated based on the average salary you received in the thirteen weeks prior to your injury or illness.However, these benefits are subject to important fine-print restrictions. First, your weekly benefits can never exceed $725. Second, this income cap applies to the weekly income you receive regardless of which job it comes from. In other words, you can have a second job while receiving workers\u2019 compensation benefits from your primary job. However, if you make more money at the second job than you would have made at the primary job, your income benefits are reduced to zero.How to Protect Your Rights in a Workers\u2019 Compensation Claim?Workers\u2019 compensation provides many useful benefits to injured employees. However, the law governing workers\u2019 compensation is filled with confusing red tape. To protect your rights and avoid legal trouble while receiving workers\u2019 compensation, take the following steps:Be honest about your injury and income\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Providing misleading information to secure workers\u2019 compensation benefits is\u00a0criminal fraud\u00a0punishable \u201cby a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed one year,\u201d or both.\u00a0Therefore, be scrupulously honest about your situation. On the one hand, you should never exaggerate the severity of your medical condition. On the other, you also should not minimize it.Further, you are also required by law to accurately report additional jobs and income when receiving workers\u2019 compensation from your employer. Failure to do so may lead to serious legal consequences.Follow your doctor\u2019s instructions\u00a0\u2013\u00a0If your medical care providers recommend a specific course of treatment (physical therapy, for example), follow their instructions. Attend all necessary appointments to address your injury or illness. If you do not follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctors, your employer could move to terminate your benefits.Hire a lawyer\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Securing workers\u2019 compensation benefits for lost wages and medical care treatment can be challenging, especially if you continue working a lighter load or a second job. A\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation attorney\u00a0can make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to, as well as that you are not inadvertently breaking any important rules.Consult With a Georgia Workers\u2019 Compensation LawyerAt\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we have been fighting for injured workers in our community for nearly 30 years. We are proud to provide excellent legal representation to every client that walks through our doors. Whether you are ready to file a claim, your claim has been denied, or you are simply wondering whether you can work a second job, our attorneys are ready to answer your questions and handle your case. Contact us online today for a\u00a0free consultation.Visit Our Workers\u2019 Compensation Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Can You Continue Working While Receiving Workers\u2019 Compensation in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/working-while-receiving-workers-compensation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]