How Workers’ Compensation Affects Your Two Jobs

It’s hard to make ends meet these days. Although you love your job, it’s just not paying the bills. Your employer has promised that things will pick up once the winter is over. So you decide to stick it out and opt to get a part-time job at a local grocery store. While working your main job, you get into a car accident and are severely injured. The workers’ compensation picks up the bill; however, you’re going to be missing work at both jobs for some time. When you’re finally cleared to return to work for light duty, your main employer says he is unable to accommodate you but your part-time job is able to. Is it illegal to start working at your part-time job while still collecting workers’ compensation?

This can be a tricky situation. First, important to note that if you are working two jobs and are injured on one, it’s important that you let the insurance company know that you have two jobs. By failing to disclose this information, you could get into trouble down the road and you may be accused of insurance fraud. It’s also important to realize that your second employer may not keep you on staff if you get injured on the job. They can legally let you go. Fortunately for our victim in the case above, both employers had kept the person on staff.

If you are cleared to return to work for light duty, you are legally allowed to work at your second job and still collect workers’ compensation. Yet, be prepared — chances are your workers’ comp benefits will be lowered if you return to part-time work. What will happen is the insurance company will take an average weekly wage and pay you that amount.

As you can imagine, workers’ compensation laws are pretty complicated here in New Jersey. That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the system. If you were injured at work and need to speak with an attorney on this matter, don’t wait. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.