NMSA 52-1-50.1. Rehiring of injured workers

52-1-50.1. Rehiring of injured workers. A. If an employer is hiring, the employer shall offer to rehire the employer's worker who has stopped working due to an injury for which the worker has received, or is due to receive, benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act and who applies for his pre- injury job or modified job similar to the pre-injury job, subject to the following conditions: (1) the worker's treating health care provider certifies that the worker is fit to carry out the pre-injury job or modified work similar to the pre-injury job without significant risk of reinjury; and (2) the employer has the pre-injury job or modified work available. B. If an employer is hiring, that employer shall offer to rehire a worker who applies for any job that pays less than the pre-injury job and who has stopped working due to an injury for which he has received, or is due, benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act, provided that the worker is qualified for the job and provided that the worker's treating health care provider certifies that the worker is fit to carry out the job offered. Compensation benefits of a worker rehired prior to maximum medical improvement and pursuant to this subsection shall be reduced as provided in Section 52-1-25.1 NMSA 1978. C. As used in this section, "rehire" includes putting the injured worker back to active work, regardless of whether he was carried on the employer's payroll during the period of his inability to work. D. The exclusive remedy for a violation of the section shall be a fine as specified in Section 52-1-61 NMSA 1978. History: 1978 Comp., § 52-1-50.1, enacted by Laws 1990 (2nd S.S.), ch. 2, § 21.