The short answer is yes. Your employment status does not alter your right to benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act for an injury that occurred while employed. If you quit your job before your claim is concluded, you will not be disqualified from benefits.
The issue, however, is a bit more complicated and nuanced than a simple yes or no answer. Although leaving your job during the claim will not change your entitlement to medical benefits or a disability award at the conclusion of your claim, it certainly can have negative consequences along the way.
For example, during a workers’ compensation claim, an injured worker may be released to work with restrictions. This gives employers the opportunity to accommodate the work restrictions instead of paying weekly benefits. If this happens to you and you’ve already quit your job, your employer may (or will, most likely) claim that had you not quit, they would have accommodated your restrictions. Depending on how long you’ve been out of work, the employer may be able to immediately stop your weekly benefits, regardless of the veracity of their claim to accommodate restrictions.
If you’re considering quitting your job before your claim is resolved, please contact your attorney before making that decision. We understand there are a host of reasons why you may be considering leaving your job, and the specific facts of your case will determine what the best decision is for you.