Many Americans these days work two or more jobs to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, getting injured at one job could be devastating for your financial situation. Keep in mind a few key facts about how working two jobs affects workers’ compensation claims.
Tell Everyone About Your Second Job
Do not keep your second job a secret. You need to tell your employer, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company, your doctor, and your lawyer about all the jobs you work. You should do this when you report the injury or soon afterward. If you do not tell anyone, you could be accused of perjury for not mentioning it during your deposition or a hearing, or insurance fraud for receiving benefits to which you might not have been entitled.
There is no shame in working more than one job to keep financially afloat or to help your family. After you tell everyone about the second job, your doctor and lawyer can work with you to maximize your benefits and get you back to work as soon as you are able.
In addition, you should tell your second job about your injury. The second employer will not have to pay workers’ compensation benefits (unless you working there contributed to the injury). But you may have to take time off work for recovery, medical appointments, and workers’ comp meetings or hearings. If your manager at the second job is in the loop, he or she will know why you are taking time off and hopefully accommodate your needs.
Don’t Work Beyond Your Restrictions
If you are able to keep working at your second job – whether or not you take time off from the job where you were injured – do not work beyond your medical restrictions. The insurance company could catch you performing tasks that your injuries supposedly restrict, and challenge payment of benefits to you. Further, you could injure yourself again.
Talk to a Lawyer About Wage Loss Benefits
Typically wage loss benefits for temporary total disability are two-thirds of your average weekly wage before you were injured. If you are on temporary partial disability instead, you will receive two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage at the time of the injury and your current weekly earnings. If you work two jobs, calculating available benefits may be more complicated. Speak to a lawyer who can advise you on how to make sure you get the benefits you need.
Need help getting workers’ compensation benefits and you work several jobs? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
