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Workers Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation- Lawyer

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What is Workers Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation ?

THIS WEBSITE IS THE PRODUCT OF A WORKERS COMPENSATION ATTORNEY AND IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH  ANY WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURER.  FURTHER IT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE STATE OF MARYLAND NOR ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.  Information contained herein is provided for informational purposes and expresses opinions and information best known at the time it was written.  This information and does not create an attorney to client representation.


One of the more coveted by injured employees is workers compensation vocational rehabilitation.  Work injuries often lead to employees losing their job and this can be a devastating event to say the least.  For those who have found themselves in this most unfortunate position there is some help available in the form of workers comp vocational rehabilitation.

If an injured worker who has a valid workers comp claim in the state of Maryland, is unable to perform work duties, and the employer does not offer a job position within their physical limitations than workers compensation vocational rehabilitation may be available.  A vocational counselor is assigned by the insurance adjuster and agreed upon by the injured workers’ attorney.  The counselor will assist the injured worker in finding a job.  There are some restrictions to the job search that the vocational counselor must abide by and only a job that is considered suitable and gainful employment may be sought.  In short the employee will be required to take a job that is within their physical limitations and pays as close as practical to the previous occupation wage.  They will not be required to accept any job on the market but must be reasonable with their expectations and consider their education, physical limitations, and the practical outcome of the job search.

Other than obtaining assistance from the workers compensation vocational rehabilitation counselor the injured worker has other rights pertaining to the job search.  Most importantly the injured worker will receive payments from the workers comp insurer while they undergo vocational rehabilitation.  Essentially the injured worker is paid to look for a job.  With voc rehab their job is to find a job.

Re-employment through workers compensation vocational rehabilitation

During the first “leg” of the vocational rehabilitation (voc rehab) process the injured worker will look for a new job.  As previously stated this new job should be relatively close in pay, within their physical limitations, and within a reasonable proximity of their home.  The employee will be required to submit applications and resumes to a number of employers every week.  They may also be required to attend job seminars, certification classes or seminars, take the General Education Degree (GED) test or other tests.

Depending on the particular workers compensation vocational rehabilitation counselor and the injured employee, the job search could go on for a few months or over a year.  At a certain point and sometimes before the job search begins, it may be decided that some form of job training is necessary.

Job Training through workers compensation vocational rehabilitation

Applicable job training through workers compensation vocational rehabilitation can vary in length, degree, and difficulty.  Ultimately the counselor will suggest what they believe to be a reasonable path for the injured worker to take.  Associates degrees, trade certifications, computer certifications, licensing application and tests, or other educational training should all be considered if the employee is not able to obtain employment otherwise.

Do I qualify for job training and workers compensation vocational rehabilitation?

There are some requirements for an injured worker to qualify for workers comp voc rehab under in Maryland.  First, the employee must have a compensable workers compensation claim.  If that is established then the worker must have lost their job because of the work injury.  In most cases the injured worker must have a disability that resulted from the work accident, and that has prevented the employee from returning to that employer.  In some cases the employee may qualify for workers compensation vocational rehabilitation if they are able to return to the occupation in the same capacity but the employer has since terminated their employment.

The injured worker must have lost their job due to the injury they sustained on the job.  In a number of instances the employer and workers comp insurer are able to terminate the employee for “unrelated” issues and avoid liability and cost of workers compensation vocational rehabilitation.  This is one more reason all injured workers should consult a workers compensation attorney.  In some cases this termination can be avoided.

You can speak with workers compensation lawyer Andrew M. Rodabaugh for a FREE consultation   Call Click to email  or just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and Mr. Rodabaugh will contact you!

 

The Workers Comp Vocational Rehabilitation Process

The vocational rehabilitation process is not easy and the injured worker should be motivated to return to the work force.  It is difficult enough to search for employment, but when the search involves employment in a completely different type of occupation injured workers often become reluctant and anxious.  The injured worker should try to put these feelings aside while undergoing workers compensation vocational rehabilitation because more often than not this is the reason voc rehab benefits are terminated leaving the employee with no pay.

The workers compensation vocational rehabilitation process can start at anytime during the workers comp case if it is clear the injury is going to lead to loss of employment and a disability of some sort.  The disability only has to be of a nature that keeps the employee from returning to the same line of work.

In most cases the voc rehab process will start at or around the time the employee is discharged from their treating doctors care and has been found to be at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).  Upon discharge, is the injured worker able to return back to their previous employment?  If not then workers compensation vocational rehabilitation should be discussed with the representing workers comp lawyer.

Workers compensation voc rehab starts:

  1. Ordinarily a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) will be performed to determine the employees capacity to work and then be used by the workers compensation vocational rehabilitation adjuster.  Again, the FCE will help all parties understand what kind of job the injured worker can perform.  Sometimes the FCE will come back with treatment recommendations such as work hardening, more therapy, or more.  If that is the case than a second FCE will be necessitated after the recommended treatment, but more often than not it is only work hardening that is recommended or no treatment.  More on Functional Capacity Evaluations here.
  2. Work Hardening is a course of physical therapy designed to strengthen the injured.  It is often done for a number of weeks (4-12) for a number of hours (4-8) each day.  Work hardening is an aggressive attempt to increase the injured workers capacity to work.  For some this will be prescribed and necessary to attend before workers compensation vocational rehabilitation benefits will be provided.
  3. If the workers comp adjuster agrees to work comp vocational rehab then payments will be started up and a mutually agreeable counselor will be selected.  If the adjuster does not agree to voc rehab a hearing may be necessary.
  4. Once a workers compensation vocational counselor is chosen an initial meeting will be conducted to ensure the injured worker and counselor are able to work together.  There after the counselor will have the injured worker take a number of tests to help determine jobs for which the injured is qualified to apply.  This may include an IQ test, spelling and language tests, and computer skills tests.
  5. An initial vocat rehab plan will be drafted by the workers compenstaion vocational rehabilitation counselor and submitted to both the injured workers attorney as well as the insurance adjuster and/or their attorney.  The plan will describe what types of jobs the injured worker qualifies for and what wages can be expected.
  6. If after a period of time the injured worker has been unsuccessful in obtaining employment the voc program may be closed.  However, if the injured worker has been compliant with the resume requirements and has attended all interviews, seminars, training, and appointments the workers comp vocational counselor may suggest that some form of job training take place.
  7. If job training takes place the workers compensation vocational rehabilitation process may start over after the new training and skills are developed.

In the event that the injured worker is not successful in obtaining employment or job training there are a number of actions that can be taken by the representing attorney.  This should be discussed in detail at the time job search efforts fail.

FOR MORE READING SEE:

Have you been terminated for filing a workers compensation case?

The value of a back injury case in a workers comp claim.

 

Mr. Rodabaugh is a valuable asset to his community.  His continuing dedication to the law and his clients is admirable.
Adam SPersonal Injury Attorney

 

You can speak with Baltimore workers compensation lawyer Andrew M. Rodabaugh for a FREE consultation   Call Click to email  or just fill out the form below and Mr. Rodabaugh will contact you!

 

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Baltimore workers compensation lawyer Andrew M. Rodabaugh and his office offers information about Personal Injury law and  Workers Compensation  law for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein constitutes formal legal advice. If you need the advice of a Baltimore workers compensation lawyer , or wish to discuss workers comp attorney fees please contact him today. He has offices throughout the state and various convenient meeting locations.  Each and every case needs to be evaluated before legal advice can be provided.  Under no circumstance should the information on this website be considered medical advice. This is an attorney’s website and is not affiliated with any government agency or government entity of any kind.
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Workers Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation
Article Name
Workers Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation
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Workers compensation vocational rehabilitation is an important benefit because it increases case value and helps secure financial independence through a paid for job search.
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Work Injury Maryland
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