If you are on workers’ compensation and thinking about quitting your job, you might wonder how this decision could impact your benefits. Understanding the potential consequences will help you make an informed decision that protects both your recovery and your benefits.
Quitting while on benefits
You can quit your job while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Leaving your job does not automatically stop your benefits. As long as you continue recovering from your injury and remain unable to work, you may keep receiving medical benefits and temporary disability payments. The key is that your injury happened while you were employed.
Impact on benefits
Quitting your job may affect the type of workers’ compensation benefits you can receive in the future. For example, if you resign and later need to file for permanent disability or vocational rehabilitation, your employer may argue that your ability to claim certain benefits has changed because you voluntarily left your job. This makes it important to weigh your decision carefully.
Legal considerations
When you quit your job while on workers’ compensation, the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act still protects your rights as an injured worker. Your employer cannot retaliate against you by cutting off benefits solely because you resigned. However, it is important to consider how quitting might affect your future employment prospects, especially if you are still dealing with medical restrictions due to your injury.
Evaluating your options
Quitting your job while on workers’ compensation can impact your future in unexpected ways. Before making any decision, ensure you fully understand how your resignation might affect not only your benefits but also your long-term recovery and career.