Does my employer have to take me back on light duty after an injury?

This is a question that will depend on the facts of your situation. There are several laws that interact that will affect this answer. Such issues as do you qualify for FMLA benefits? Does your employer have workers compensation or some substitute plan? Is your type of injury the kind that might be recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act? Can you do the essential functions of your job with or without reasonable accommodation? Are you being retaliated against for filing a workers’ compensation claim? These are all things that must be evaluated based on your claim.