Work-related injuries are common for firefighters. Injuries can range from sprains and strains to career ending heart or lung disease. After you see a physician, your paperwork may indicate that you are restricted from some type of activity that will impact your ability to do your job. If you have been given any of these restrictions, your department may offer you an opportunity to work in a “modified, or light-duty” capacity. With this type of work you will not be running calls or responding to emergencies, but you will have an opportunity to work in some form and continue to earn income while not using your personal leave balances.

The way this modified duty looks and the way you are compensated may vary from department-to-department depending on each individual collective bargaining agreement.

What if I don’t want to come in for a Light-Duty assignment?

If your employer offers light-duty and your restrictions allow you to accept the position, you should seriously consider taking the option while you recover from your work-related injury or illness. If there is available light-duty and you decline the position, you may have to burn your own leave balances to continue to receive a paycheck, or go into a non-paid status. The initial question that comes to mind is “I was hurt doing my job and it’s not my fault; why do I have to use my time to recover?”.  NRS 616C.457 5b provides the answer.

5. Payments for a temporary total disability must cease when:

(a) A physician or chiropractor determines that the employee is physically capable of any gainful employment for which the employee is suited, after giving consideration to the employee’s education, training and experience;

(b) The employer offers the employee light-duty employment or employment that is modified according to the limitations or restrictions imposed by a physician or chiropractor pursuant to subsection 7; or

(c) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 616B.028 and 616B.029, the employee is incarcerated.

So, the only way you can remain in a “paid” status is to accept the light-duty assignment or use your own leave. Additionally, if you are not in a paid status, it may affect your PERS as well as any other benefits your employer provides- including health insurance and your leave accruals.

I have accepted my Light-Duty assignment, how long will it last?

Depending on your collective bargaining agreement (CBA) the light-duty assignment may last anywhere from months to years. Once your physician states you can return to work, your employer will need to change your status from “light-duty” to “full-duty” and you can return to work. This decision is dependent on your physician, his assessment of your ability to perform your essential job duties, and his determination that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and continued treatment will no longer be beneficial. What happens to you if you haven’t reached MMI and your option for light-duty has run out also depends on your CBA. You should reach out to your union to confirm what your options are. If your available light-duty runs out, you may need to begin using some of your leave balances to continue in paid status. As mentioned above, it is important to remain in paid status so that your benefits are not disrupted. Stay in close contact with your union to ensure that you are being handled appropriately.

What is the goal of Light-Duty work?

While it may seem inconvenient to come to work every day, especially if you live out of town, light-duty offers you time to recover and not subject your body to the stresses that you experience on shift. Each department has unfilled needs, some as simplistic as answering phones all the way to scheduling training or major events in your area. By working light-duty, the department has much needed additional resources to handle these tasks. Coming in for light-duty keeps you engaged with the department and makes it easier for you to attend your physician or physical therapy appointments. The goal of light-duty and workers compensation in general is to get you back to work as soon as possible.