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Return to Work and Occupational Medicine in Jacksonville
- Two Jacksonville Locations
- Customized Treatments
- Coordinated Injury Care
- Physical Therapy, Medical Care, Pain Management, Electrodiagnostics, Concussion Care, Auto Accidents, Workers' Comp, DOL, LHWCA, OWCP, Longshore
Return-to-work care helps an injured worker get back to the job safely, one step at a time. At East Coast Injury Clinic, our occupational and sports medicine physicians and our physical therapy team treat the injury, document what you can and cannot do yet (your duty status and any light-duty restrictions), and update those limits as you recover. We use the forms your claim requires, whether it is a Florida workers’ compensation claim, a federal OWCP claim or a Longshore claim.
Our focus is the injured worker. Your employer decides whether it can offer work that fits your restrictions, and the carrier or OWCP decides claim questions. Our job is to treat you and keep your medical status clear and current for everyone involved.
Return to work at a glance
- In Florida workers’ compensation, the carrier must authorize treatment before care begins, except in an emergency (F.S. 440.13(3)).
- An injured Florida worker must report the injury to the employer within 30 days (F.S. 440.185(1)).
- The CA-17 is the OWCP duty status report, and the OWCP-5c is the OWCP work capacity evaluation for musculoskeletal conditions.
- Under FECA, the injured federal employee chooses the physician (20 CFR 10.300).
- Under the Longshore Act, the employee chooses an attending physician, and about 25 miles from home or the place of injury is generally a reasonable distance (20 CFR 702.403).
- Florida workers’ compensation limits chiropractic care to 24 treatments or 12 weeks unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic (F.S. 440.13(2)(a)).
Duty status and light-duty restrictions
After a work injury, your treating provider documents your duty status at each stage of recovery. In general terms it falls into one of three groups:
- No work for a period, when the injury or treatment makes working unsafe.
- Modified or light duty, with specific restrictions. Examples include a lifting limit, no overhead reaching, no ladders, limited bending or twisting, or breaks to change position between sitting and standing.
- Full duty, when you can return to your regular job without restrictions.
Restrictions should be specific enough for a supervisor to act on. “Light duty” alone is not very useful. “No lifting over a set weight, no overhead work with the right arm” is. We review restrictions at follow-up visits and change them as your strength and tolerance improve.
Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs)
A functional capacity evaluation is a structured set of physical tests that measures what you can safely do, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, sitting, standing and walking tolerance. It is usually requested when a physician, carrier or employer needs objective information about your abilities, for example before a return to full duty, when restrictions may become long-term, or near the end of treatment.
An FCE describes your abilities on the day of testing. It is one input into return-to-work decisions, along with your exam, your job demands and how your recovery is going.
Return-to-work paperwork by claim type
Florida workers’ compensation (F.S. chapter 440)
The carrier authorizes your treating provider, and that provider reports your work status and restrictions to the carrier on the Florida work status form (the DWC-25). On written request, you are allowed one change of physician (F.S. 440.13(2)(f)). Learn more on our Florida workers’ comp page.
Federal workers (OWCP under FECA)
Federal civilian employees choose their physician. Duty status is reported on the CA-17 duty status report, and the OWCP-5c work capacity evaluation describes musculoskeletal work limits in more detail. The CA-20 attending physician’s report and, for a traumatic injury, the agency’s CA-16 authorization are part of the same file. See our OWCP forms guide and federal workers’ comp page.
Longshore and harbor workers (LHWCA)
Maritime workers choose an attending physician, and treatment is requested through the LS-1 issued by the employer or carrier. Changing physicians after the initial choice needs consent from the employer or carrier, or the district director (20 CFR 702.406). See our Longshore injury care page.
How a return-to-work plan comes together
- Evaluation. We document how the injury happened, your job duties and your exam findings.
- Treatment. Care may include medical management, physical therapy and chiropractic care within the limits of your claim.
- Restrictions that change. Each follow-up updates your duty status, so light duty can step up as you improve.
- Job-specific rehab. Therapy can focus on the tasks your job requires, such as lifting from the floor, climbing or long periods on your feet.
- Closing out care. When further recovery is not expected, your physician addresses maximum medical improvement (MMI) and any impairment rating.
Jacksonville’s workforce is varied: port and ship repair work around JAXPORT and the St. Johns River, federal employees at NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport and USPS facilities, logistics and warehousing along I-295 and I-10, construction and healthcare. Restrictions are written for the job you actually do.
Candidly, we cannot promise a return date, and some injuries leave lasting limits. We can keep your restrictions accurate and your records complete. For legal questions about your claim or your job, talk with an attorney.
How care is paid for: Most injury care at East Coast Injury Clinic is covered through one of four paths: auto insurance PIP after a car accident, a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection, state workers’ compensation for a work injury, or federal workers’ compensation (OWCP or Longshore) if you are a federal or maritime employee. We also see patients under Medicare, Tricare, VA Community Care, and a limited number of private plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Light duty, also called modified duty, means you can work with specific restrictions, such as a lifting limit, no overhead reaching or breaks to change position. Your treating provider writes the restrictions, and your employer decides whether it has work that fits them.
Your treating provider documents your medical duty status and restrictions. Your employer decides whether it can accommodate them, and the carrier or OWCP decides claim questions. For legal questions about your job or benefits, talk with an attorney.
An FCE is a structured set of physical tests that measures what you can safely do, such as lifting, carrying, reaching, sitting and standing. It is usually requested when objective information is needed before a return to full duty or when restrictions may become long-term.
The CA-17 is the OWCP duty status report for federal employees. Your physician completes it to describe your current work status and physical limits, and it is updated as your condition changes.
The OWCP-5c is the OWCP work capacity evaluation for musculoskeletal conditions. It gives OWCP a more detailed description of your physical work limits than a duty status report.
Yes, once the carrier authorizes us. In Florida workers’ compensation, the carrier authorizes your treating provider, and you are allowed one change of physician on written request. Call us with your claim number and adjuster information so we can request authorization.
Most injury care at East Coast Injury Clinic is covered through one of four paths: auto insurance PIP after a car accident, a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection, state workers’ compensation for a work injury, or federal workers’ compensation (OWCP or Longshore) if you are a federal or maritime employee. We also see patients under Medicare, Tricare, VA Community Care, and a limited number of private plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start.
Start return-to-work care
Call (904) 513-3954 or contact us online. Have your claim number, the adjuster or claims examiner’s contact information and any authorization form (such as a CA-16 or LS-1) ready, and our front desk will take it from there.
Return-to-work care is available at both Jacksonville clinics. Both clinics are in Duval County and are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Southside / Deerwood: 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256. In the Deerwood Park office area near J. Turner Butler Blvd (JTB), I-295 and Southside Blvd, a short drive from the St. Johns Town Center area. Convenient for Southside, Deerwood, Baymeadows, Arlington, Mandarin, San Jose and the Beaches.
- North Jacksonville: 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218. On N Main St north of I-295, convenient for the Northside, Oceanway and the JAX airport area.
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The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary. East Coast Injury Clinic’s services may not be appropriate for every condition or patient. Please consult a licensed healthcare professional to determine whether these services are right for your specific situation. Information provided about insurance, PIP, workers’ compensation, OWCP, or Longshore coverage is general and is not legal advice. For legal questions related to a claim, consult a licensed attorney.
East Coast Injury Clinic | 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256 | 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218 | 904-513-3954 | eastcoastinjury.com
East Coast Injury Clinic: Serving Jacksonville and Duval County
Two Jacksonville clinics, one injury team: Southside at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, and North Jacksonville at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302.