What Are My Rights If I Am Put on Light Duty After a Work Injury in California?

 Posted on October 20, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

After a work injury in California, your doctor may say that you can go back to work with certain limits. This means you can do some work, but not everything you did before you were hurt. You are supposed to be able to recover while staying on the job. If this happens, you have rights under California workers’ compensation laws. Our Morgan Hill, CA workers’ compensation lawyers can explain those rights. 

What Does "Light Duty" Mean Under California Workers’ Compensation Laws?

Light duty refers to when your employer gives you work that matches your medical restrictions after an injury. For example, if you have a shoulder injury, your employer might let you do computer work instead of lifting boxes.

Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers must make reasonable adjustments to help injured employees keep working. That might mean changing your job duties or schedule. If your employer cannot give you work that meets your doctor’s limits, you may qualify for temporary disability payments under California Labor Code § 4654. These payments help replace part of your weekly wages while you recover.

Can My Employer Require Me To Work Light Duty?

Your employer can offer you light-duty work, but they cannot make you do tasks that break your doctor’s rules. If the work is unsafe or outside your restrictions, you have the right to say no. If your employer offers you a job that truly fits your limits and you refuse it, your temporary disability payments may stop. If the light-duty offer does not follow your restrictions, you should talk to your doctor or a workers’ compensation attorney about your legal options.

What Are My Rights While on Light Duty After a Workplace Injury?

In addition to your right to refuse work that goes beyond your doctor’s restrictions, you also have the following rights:

• The right to receive the same or similar pay if you are doing equal work

• The right to keep getting medical care for your injury

• The right to reasonable accommodations under FEHA

• The right to report retaliation or discrimination for using workers’ compensation benefits

These rights are meant to help you recover safely while protecting your job and income.

Can I Be Fired or Penalized While on Light Duty After a Work Injury?

It is against the law for an employer to punish you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. California Labor Code § 132a protects you from being fired, harassed, or treated unfairly because of your injury. If your employer cuts your hours, gives you worse shifts, or terminates you after you file a claim, that may count as retaliation.

You may have the right to get your job back and recover the wages you lost if your employer retaliated against you. In some cases, you could also receive additional financial compensation. Save all records related to your injury and job, including emails, doctor’s notes, and any paperwork showing changes in your duties or pay. These documents can serve as proof if you need to take legal action later.

Contact a Morgan Hill, CA Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If your employer is ignoring your medical restrictions, refusing to accommodate you, or retaliating against you, speak to us right away. Cramer + Martinez has served clients in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and the surrounding areas for nearly 30 years. Together, our attorneys bring more than two decades of combined experience in California workers’ compensation law. We focus on helping injured workers get fair treatment and full benefits.

Call 408-848-1113 to schedule a free consultation with Santa Clara County, CA workers’ compensation lawyers who understand the urgency in these cases. We act fast so you can focus on your recovery. Hablamos Español.