Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
The Negative Financial Consequence Of Injuries From A Second Job
Injuries on second jobs may have serious consequences.
Second jobs are usually part‑time with no benefits and less pay. If the injury keeps you from your full‑time work, you will have lost income that will not be compensated for by the workers' compensation benefits payable of your second employer.
Your workers' compensation benefits for your part‑time job will be determined by whether your work hours are limited by your employer or if you limit your own hours. If you do not limit your hours, you must make it very clear to the compensation carrier that you would work as many hours as offered by the second employer. Only under these circumstances will your workers' compensation benefits for injuries occurring on the second job be calculated on a full‑time 40 hour week.
If you cannot return to your regular full‑time job, your only income will be the workers' compensation benefits from the lower paying second job. If you continue to receive wages from your first job, these should not act as a credit against workers' compensation benefits you are receiving from the part‑time second job.
Some workers have no choice but to obtain a second job to supplement their income, but it is important to know the effect that an injury could have if it were to occur with your part-time job. There are situations in which injuries at a second job permanently disable a worker to the point where he or she cannot return to regular full‑time work, causing considerable financial distress.
