Is the injured employee always entitled to the full 45 days?
No. If the employee’s medical report indicates that the employee is capable of returning to duty, the employee must do so in order for pay to continue. If the physician’s report indicates light duty, the employee is required to accept any reasonable offer of suitable light or limited duty. If the employee refuses to accept the work offered or fails to respond to the job offer within five working days, the employing agency should terminate COP. OWCP will then resolve the dispute on the basis of the evidence submitted.
