Light duty rules workers comp laws set out what happens when your doctor says you can go back to work, but not at full strength. Maybe you can’t lift over 10 pounds. Maybe you have to sit most of the day. Then your employer calls and offers you a “modified” job.
You may feel pressure, confusion, or fear about your checks. That is normal. The good news is that most states have clear rules. They cover when you have to accept light work, what you get paid, and what happens if the job hurts you. Knowing these rules can protect your income while you heal.
What Light Duty Means for Your Claim
Light duty is temporary work that fits your medical limits. Your treating doctor writes down your restrictions. For example, “no lifting over 15 pounds” or “no standing more than 2 hours.” Your employer then offers a job that stays inside those limits. It might be your old job with changes. It might be a different job, like answering phones or doing paperwork.
Light duty matters because it changes your benefits. While you are fully off work, you typically get temporary total disability (TTD). TTD is a weekly check for workers who cannot work at all. In most states, it pays about two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Your average weekly wage is your typical gross pay before the injury, usually averaged over several months.
Once you return to light duty, your TTD usually stops. However, that does not always mean your checks end. If the light duty job pays less than your old job, you may be entitled to temporary partial disability (TPD). TPD makes up part of the gap between your old pay and your new pay.
Light Duty Rules Workers Comp: The Key Figures by State
Light duty rules workers comp laws are different in every state. The biggest questions are the same, though. Do you have to accept the job? And how much of the pay gap will you get back? Here are real examples from several states.
| State | Partial pay if light duty pays less | What happens if you refuse suitable work |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 2/3 of the wage difference, up to $533 per week, for up to 350 weeks | Benefits can be suspended after a proper Form WC-240 job offer |
| Texas | 70% of the wage difference, within the 104-week limit for income benefits | A “bona fide offer” can reduce your checks as if you took the job |
| New York | 2/3 of the difference between old and new weekly wages | Refusing suitable work can reduce or end benefits |
| Florida | Temporary partial benefits based on post-injury earnings | No payment during a refusal of suitable work |
| California | Temporary disability can stop once modified work begins | If no work is offered within 60 days of a permanent disability award, you may get a $6,000 retraining voucher |
State maximum weekly benefits change every year. Always confirm the current figure with your state board before you plan your budget. These figures are general and every case is different.
Georgia has one of the most specific light duty rules workers comp systems. The employer must use Form WC-240 and attach the job description your doctor approved. If you try the job for at least 8 hours or one scheduled shift and cannot do it, your benefits generally restart. In most cases, you must leave within 15 scheduled workdays to use that protection. As a result, many Georgia claimants try the job rather than refuse it outright.
Federal workers follow separate light duty rules workers comp guidelines through the U.S. Department of Labor. Under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, refusing suitable work can end your wage-loss checks. For example, a postal worker offered a desk job within their limits usually must take it or explain in writing why it is not suitable.
What to Do When You Get a Light Duty Offer
First, get the offer in writing. A text or quick phone call is not enough. Ask for the job duties, hours, pay, and start date. Then compare it line by line with your doctor’s restrictions. If anything goes beyond your limits, say so in writing.
Second, show the offer to your treating doctor. Ask them to sign off on it or note any problems. Light duty rules workers comp laws usually give weight to your doctor’s opinion. If the job requires lifting 25 pounds and your limit is 10, that job is not suitable.
Third, keep a simple log once you start. Write down your hours, your pay, your pain level, and any tasks outside your limits. For example, note if a supervisor asks you to lift boxes you shouldn’t. This record helps if your TPD is paid wrong or the job makes you worse.
Fourth, check your pay stubs against your partial benefit checks. Insurers sometimes miss weeks or use the wrong wage. If your math shows a gap, ask the adjuster for a written breakdown.
Finally, watch the calendar. Light duty often lasts until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI means your doctor thinks you won’t get much better with more treatment. At that point, you may get an impairment rating. That is a percentage showing how much lasting damage you have. It can lead to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. PPD is money for lasting harm, even if you are back at work.
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How Light Duty Can Affect a Settlement
Light duty rules workers comp decisions can also shape what your claim is worth later. If you return at lower pay, your partial benefits may build over time. That can raise the value of a future settlement. However, if you refused suitable work, the insurer may argue your checks should have stopped. That can lower any offer.
Some claims end in a compromise and release. That is a lump-sum deal that usually closes some or all of your claim for good. Any settlement estimate is illustrative only. Confirm your options with your state board and a licensed attorney before signing anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse a light duty job and keep my workers comp checks?
In most cases, refusing suitable light duty can reduce or stop your checks. However, if the job goes beyond your doctor’s restrictions, it may not count as suitable. Put your concerns in writing and ask your doctor to review the offer.
Will I get paid less on light duty?
Sometimes, yes. For example, you might work fewer hours or earn a lower rate. Typically, your state’s light duty rules workers comp system lets you claim partial benefits, often about two-thirds of the difference.
What if my employer has no light duty work for me?
If no suitable job exists, you typically keep getting TTD while your restrictions last. As a result, your checks should continue until you can work again or reach MMI. Confirm the details with your state workers’ compensation board.
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Sources & How to Verify
This guide is built from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp figures, deadlines, and state rules change every year, so always confirm the exact figure with your state board or a licensed attorney:
- Your state workers’ compensation board / division: the first and most authoritative source for your state’s caps, deadlines, and rules.
- U.S. Department of Labor: dol.gov — the directory of state workers’ comp officials.
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data.
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — SSDI offset and benefit-cap data.
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral coverage and claims data.
Verified September 2026. State maximum weekly benefits change every year — if you spot anything outdated, please contact us.
Related Guides
- The Complete Guide to Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Workers’ Comp Settlements by State
- Workers’ Comp Benefits Explained (TTD, PPD, MMI)
- Your Rights at Work — Common Scenarios
- Plain-English Workers’ Comp Glossary
Disclaimer. This page is for general information only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical provider. Benefit caps, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change every year, and any settlement figure is an illustration, not a prediction. For your situation, confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.