However, where an injured worker has been released by their doctor to light duty or part-time work, the pre-injury employer may offer them employment within their work restrictions. If, two weeks after this light duty job offer was accepted and undertaken, the injured worker’s car blows up and they have no transportation to and from work, and they can’t afford to fix it, the bottom line is, tough luck. Suggestions would include Uber, getting a lift with a coworker or asking a friend or relative for a ride. The fear is that the worker, released to light duty, will be terminated for absenteeism, which would be “for cause.” Termination for cause may end Virginia Workers Compensation benefits, and could be lethal to the claim.

In cases where the injuries result in significant restrictions, seeking the authorized treating doctor’s written explanation that the injured worker cannot walk or stand long enough to go to and from public transportation may help the arguments in favor of providing assistance. However, the appeals court for job injury cases, the Full Commission sitting in Richmond, has specifically indicated that where the employer did not provide transportation prior to the workplace injury, they cannot be expected to provide transportation afterwards; it  is the responsibility of the injured worker. 

The insurance company may be required to reimburse for the mileage incurred going to it from doctors appointments physical therapy and testing, but it workplace accident doesn’t guarantee an employee a ride. Doug Landau is also been successful in getting clients reimbursed for parking at their doctors offices in the District of Columbia, tolls, etc.