What counts as refusing work

What counts as refusing work is one of the most important questions you can ask while on workers’ comp. Here is why. In most states, turning down a job your doctor says you can do can stop your weekly checks.

That can happen even while you are still hurt and still healing. Many injured workers are shocked when a light-duty letter shows up in the mail. They worry about pain, about their boss, and about how they will pay rent. This guide explains in plain English what counts as refusing work, when saying “no” may be justified, and the steps that help protect your benefits.

What Counts as Refusing Work on Workers’ Comp

First, a few terms. TTD means temporary total disability. It is the weekly check you get when you cannot work at all while you heal. In most states, TTD 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.

A refusal usually starts with an offer of “suitable” work. Suitable work is a job that fits the restrictions your treating doctor wrote down. For example, a doctor may say “no lifting over 10 pounds” or “seated work only.” If the offered job fits those limits, the insurer may treat a “no” as a refusal.

So what counts as refusing work in real life? Typically, any of these can count:

• Saying no to a written light-duty or modified job offer.
• Not showing up on the start date listed in the offer.
• Quitting the light-duty job after a very short time without a medical reason.
• Not returning calls or letters about the job offer.
• Getting fired from the light-duty job for misconduct, in some states.

However, not every “no” is a refusal. In most cases, the offer must be real, in writing, and within your doctor’s limits. As a result, a vague phone call or a job that breaks your restrictions may not count.

State Rules, Deadlines, and Benefit Figures

Each state words this rule a little differently. Still, the core idea is the same. If you refuse suitable work without a good reason, benefits can be suspended for as long as the refusal lasts.

Georgia has one of the clearest rules. Under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-240, the employer must use a form called the WC-240. The job must be approved by your authorized treating doctor. The form must reach you at least 10 days before the start date. If you try the job for at least 8 hours or one scheduled workday, whichever is longer, and cannot keep doing it, your checks generally restart right away. However, if you refuse to try or quit before then, the insurer may suspend benefits by filing a form with the State Board.

Florida’s rule is in Fla. Stat. § 440.15(6). A worker who refuses suitable work is generally not paid during the refusal. The exception is when a judge of compensation claims finds the refusal was justified. North Carolina’s G.S. 97-32 works in a similar way through the Industrial Commission.

California handles this through temporary disability rules. If your employer offers modified work within your restrictions, refusing it may end your TD payments. However, recent 2026 appeals board decisions show the employer must prove the offer was real. In one case, benefits were awarded because there was no proof of a bona fide offer.

Keep in mind that state maximum weekly benefits change every year. Always confirm the current figure with your state board before you plan around it.

When Saying No May Be Justified

Knowing what counts as refusing work also means knowing what does not. Many state judges look at whether your reason was fair. For example, these reasons are often weighed seriously:

• The job goes beyond your written medical restrictions.
• Your doctor never approved the job description.
• The job is far away with no reasonable way to get there.
• The job was offered only as a trick to cut benefits, not real work.
• Your doctor changed your restrictions after the offer was made.

However, “I don’t like that job” or “it pays less” is usually not enough on its own. In many states, you may be entitled to partial benefits if light duty pays less than before. That partial check is often called TPD, or temporary partial disability. It typically pays two-thirds of the gap between your old and new wages, up to a cap.

Your status can also shift at MMI. MMI means maximum medical improvement. It is the point where your doctor says you are as healed as you will get. At MMI, you may get an impairment rating, which is a percentage showing lasting loss of function. That rating often drives PPD, or permanent partial disability. In many states, refusing work affects weekly wage checks but not PPD owed for your rating. Georgia’s statute, for example, carves out permanent partial benefits.

What to Do Next If You Get a Job Offer

Take a breath. A job offer is not a trap by default. Still, how you respond matters a lot. Here are steps that help protect you.

1. Get it in writing. Ask for the job duties, hours, pay, location, and start date on paper. A clear written offer helps you understand what counts as refusing work in your situation.

2. Compare it to your restrictions. Pull out your latest doctor’s note. Check every duty against it. If anything goes beyond your limits, write that down.

3. Call your treating doctor. Ask whether the doctor saw and approved this exact job. If not, ask the doctor to review it.

4. Respond in writing and on time. Do not simply ignore the letter. Silence is often treated as what counts as refusing work. If you have concerns, put them in a short, polite letter and keep a copy.

5. Consider trying the job. In Georgia, trying the job for the required time can protect your right to restart benefits. In most cases, an honest attempt looks better than a flat “no.”

6. Keep a log. Write down your pain, tasks you were asked to do, and anyone you spoke with. These notes help if there is a dispute later.

If your checks stop, act fast. Many states let you ask for a hearing to restore benefits. Filing deadlines vary by state, so confirm yours with your state board and a licensed attorney. Also remember that any settlement, including a compromise and release, is shaped by these facts. A compromise and release is a deal that closes some or all of your claim for a lump sum. Any estimate you see is illustrative, and every case is different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lose workers’ comp for refusing light duty?

In most states, yes, if the job is suitable and your refusal is not justified. However, the offer usually must fit your doctor’s written restrictions. As a result, it is worth checking the details before you answer.

What counts as refusing work if I start the job and then stop?

It depends on your state and your reason. For example, Georgia generally restarts checks if you try the job for at least 8 hours or one workday and cannot continue. Typically, leaving for a documented medical reason is treated differently than just walking away.

Will refusing work affect my permanent disability rating payments?

In many states, a refusal mainly affects weekly wage-loss checks like TTD and TPD. However, some rules differ by state. Confirm what counts as refusing work and what it affects with your state board and a licensed attorney.

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 October 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.