New Mexico § 52-1-25.1 - Temporary total disability; return to work

§ 52-1-25.1. Temporary total disability; return to work

A. As used in the Workers' Compensation Act, “ temporary total disability ” means the inability of a worker, by reason of accidental injury arising out of and

in the course of the worker's employment, to perform the duties of that employment

prior to the date of the worker's maximum medical improvement. B. If, prior to the date of maximum medical improvement, an injured worker's health

care provider releases the worker to return to work and the employer does not make

a reasonable work offer at the worker's pre-injury wage, the worker shall receive

temporary total disability compensation benefits equal to two-thirds of the worker's

pre-injury wage. C. If, prior to the date of maximum medical improvement, an injured worker's health

care provider releases the worker to return to work and the worker returns to work

at less than the worker's pre-injury wage, the worker shall receive temporary total

disability compensation benefits equal to two-thirds of the difference between the

worker's pre-injury wage and the worker's post-injury wage. D. A worker is not entitled to temporary total disability benefits as set forth in

Subsection B or C of this section if: (1) the employer makes a reasonable work offer at or above the worker's pre-injury

wage, within medical restrictions, if any, as stated by the health care provider pursuant

to Section 52-1-49 NMSA 1978 , and the worker rejects the offered employment; (2) the worker accepts employment with another employer at or above the worker's pre-injury

wage; or (3) the worker is terminated for misconduct connected with the employment that is

unrelated to the workplace injury; if the workers' compensation judge finds that

an employer terminated the worker for pretextual reasons as a way of attempting to

avoid payment of benefits to the worker or as retaliation against the worker for seeking

benefits, the worker shall be entitled to temporary total disability benefits and

the employer shall be subject to penalties as set forth in Sections 52-1-28.1 and 52-1-28.2 NMSA 1978 . E. Upon a finding that an employer has terminated a worker for pretextual reasons,

the workers' compensation judge at the judge's discretion may also impose an additional

fine, not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), on the employer, to be paid to

the worker. F. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the employer shall continue to

provide reasonable and necessary medical care pursuant to Section 52-1-49 NMSA 1978 . G. If there is a dispute between the parties regarding the reasonableness of the employer's

work offer or the worker's refusal to return to work, the workers' compensation judge

shall decide if the work offer or the worker's refusal to return to work is reasonable

based on all of the circumstances.