How Many Hours Can You Work on Light Duty?

If you’ve been injured on the job and are transitioning back to work, you may be placed on light duty. But one of the most common questions injured workers have is: How many hours can you work at a light-duty job?

The answer isn’t always straightforward. The number of hours you can work on light duty depends on your medical restrictions, your employer’s policies, and your doctor’s recommendations. Most importantly, your rights must be protected every step of the way, and that’s where an experienced workers’ comp attorney can help.

At Pond Lehocky, we’ve helped thousands of injured employees across Pennsylvania with light-duty work arrangements. We’re here to help you understand what light-duty work means, what your employer can and cannot do, and how to ensure you’re not being taken advantage of during your recovery.

What Is Light Duty Work?

Employers offer light-duty work to an employee who is temporarily unable to perform their regular job duties due to a work-related injury. This can consist of a modified job or a different position altogether. These tasks are usually less physically demanding and are designed to accommodate your medical restrictions.

Examples of light-duty work restrictions may include:

• Performing clerical or administrative tasks
• Supervising instead of performing manual labor
• Taking on limited or modified physical tasks (e.g., lifting lighter loads)
• Working fewer hours or shorter shifts

Your doctor will typically outline specific work restrictions based on your injury—for example, no lifting over 10 pounds or no standing for more than 2 hours at a time. Any light-duty assignment must respect those restrictions.

How Many Hours Can You Work on a Light-Duty Job?

The number of hours you can work on light duty depends on your medical clearance and physical ability, not necessarily your employer’s usual scheduling needs. Your treating physician determines what is safe and appropriate for your condition.

For some workers, that may mean returning to a reduced schedule, such as four-hour shifts or part-time work. For others, it could mean working full-time hours with modified duties.

Key factors that influence your light-duty work schedule include:

• Your doctor’s medical restrictions
• The nature of your injury and how it affects your stamina and mobility
• Whether light-duty work can be performed without worsening your condition
• Your employer’s willingness to accommodate a reduced-hour schedule

If your doctor only clears you for 20 hours a week of light-duty work, your employer cannot force you to work more than that. If they do, they may be violating your workers’ compensation rights.

Can You Work Overtime While in a Light Duty Position?

In most cases, you should not be working overtime while on light duty, especially if your doctor hasn’t approved it. Working extra hours can increase your risk of reinjury and may conflict with the medical limitations placed on your activity.

Even if your employer offers overtime, you are under no obligation to accept it while on light duty unless your doctor clears you explicitly to work additional hours.

If your employer is pressuring you to take on more hours than your restrictions allow, this may not only risk your health, but it could also jeopardize your workers’ compensation benefits. Always consult your attorney and doctor before accepting overtime while recovering from a work injury.

What if My Employer Can’t Offer Enough Light Duty Hours?

In some cases, your employer may not be able, or willing, to provide enough light-duty work hours to match your pre-injury earnings. If this happens, you may be eligible for partial disability benefits under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system.

Partial disability benefits are designed to help make up the difference in pay between what you were earning before the injury and what you’re earning now in a light-duty job.

Example:

If you were making $1,000 a week before your injury and your employer can only offer you $600 per week in part-time light-duty work, you could be eligible for partial wage loss benefits to help cover the $400 difference.

This is why it’s critical to track your hours, pay, and medical status carefully and work closely with your attorney to make sure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to.

Do You Have to Accept a Light Duty Job Offer?

If your doctor has cleared you for light duty and your employer offers a position that matches your restrictions, you generally must accept it, or risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits.

However, the job must genuinely meet your medical restrictions. If the position exceeds your capabilities or aggravates your injury, you have the right to refuse the assignment and request a hearing to review your case. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine whether a job offer is legitimate or an attempt to push you back to work too soon.

What Are Your Work Restrictions While on Light Duty?

Even while performing light-duty work, you remain protected under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws. That means:

• You cannot be forced to exceed your doctor’s restrictions.
• You are entitled to medical treatment and wage loss benefits if you’re earning less than before.
• You cannot be retaliated against for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
• Your employer must make reasonable efforts to accommodate your restrictions.

If you experience pain or worsening symptoms, or believe your light-duty assignment is inappropriate, notify your doctor immediately and consult a workers’ compensation attorney. Continuing to work under conditions that worsen your injury could put your health and benefits at risk.

Can Light Duty Assignments While on Partial Disability Lead to a Full Recovery?

For many injured workers, light duty is a helpful transitional step back to full-time work. It gives your body time to heal while keeping you engaged in your job. However, light duty should never come at the expense of your health.

If your condition worsens while on light duty, you may need to stop working again and return to temporary total disability status. Your doctor and attorney can guide you through that process to ensure your benefits continue.

Why You Should Talk to a Workers’ Comp Lawyer About Your Workers’ Comp Benefits

Employers and insurance companies often try to limit how much they pay injured workers, especially when it comes to light duty. You may be pressured to return too soon, work longer hours than you can handle, or accept lower pay without proper compensation.

That’s why having a trusted legal team in your corner is essential.

At Pond Lehocky, we fight for injured workers across Pennsylvania every day. We know how to challenge unfair light-duty offers, secure the full benefits you deserve, and protect your health and your future. Whether you’re in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or anywhere across the state, we bring the same level of care, compassion, and strength to every case.

Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today if You’re Having Difficulty Getting Fair Disability Benefits

If you’re unsure how many hours you can work on light duty, or feel like your employer isn’t respecting your medical restrictions, you don’t have to face it alone. Let our experienced team help you understand your rights and fight for the benefits you’ve earned.

Contact Pond Lehocky today for a free consultation. We’re here to stand up for injured workers—because your recovery, your job, and your future matter.