Work When Dr Says No

[ulfred]

I'm on an IL workman comp leave for a hand injury.  My doctor says I am to be off work, however, my boss keeps emailing me and is expecting me to respond to his and his wifes emails in addition to making phone calls to our clients and vendors.  He sends me 20 emails a day, several duplicated because I havent answered him fast enough.  Is this legal?   I am on pain meds and can barely type right handed and I dont feel like talking to anyone most of the day due to the pain.  Per the doctor, I am not suppose to be working.  Can I get in trouble if I dont respond to him?

[Lemmy]

Josh Myers - Illinois Well - should keep him well informed of your status.  Generally, this includes sending the doctors note saying "no work" and letting him know when the next doctors appointment is.  Until that time, nothing is going to change so I don't think there is anything wrong with giving him a copy of the note, letting him know when you go back to see the doctor, letting him know you'll update him as to that new appointment and leaving it there.  

I handle IL work comp cases and I can tell you that one of the big advantages you have under the system is that you get to pick your own doctor.  Are you going to your own doctor or the one work comp sent you to.  If it's work comp's doctor - got to your own now!!

Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

Josh Myers

888.956.2487

www.JoshMyersLaw.com