A published decision of the appellate court on whether 4850 time covers a return to modified duty

• Posted By: Harvey Brown
• March 1, 2014

This is a published court of Appeal case

This is a very significant case for workers’ compensation principles.

The applicant was a deputy sheriff. The applicant had a work related injury. The applicant worked the night shift and was given an extra 5% for working the night shift. When the applicant returned to work the applicant was returned to modified duty by his physician. He was not allowed to work the night shift on modified duty. He was still given full salary but not the extra 5%.

The applicant filed for a hearing contending under Labor Code section 4850 he was entitled to the shift differential. A Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) agreed with the applicant and awarded the applicant the extra 5%. On petition for reconsideration the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) agreed with the WCJ.

The applicant contended before the appellate court that because he was on modified duty he was on a leave of absence from full duty and thus entitled to the extra 5%.

The appellate court determined that because the applicant was back at work he was not on a leave of absence and therefore, not entitled to 4850 time. Thus, there was no 4850 time while on modified duty.

Case: County of Nevada v. WCAB (Lade)

• Posted In: Disability, Medical Treatment, Technicalities, Work Injury