Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers: Vocational Rehabilitation
January 5, 2017
When an employee is injured on the job, ideally that person will be able to return to work once they have fully recovered. However, if an employee’s injuries prevent him or her from returning to work in the same capacity, Workers’ Compensation provides vocational rehabilitation, which includes the necessary training and/or schooling – including tuition reimbursement – to help prepare for another job.
The type and amount of vocational rehabilitation you receive will depend on a number of factors including the nature of your impairment and physical and emotional limitations. The following are some of the vocational rehabilitation services that are available to injured workers through the company’s Workers’ Compensation plan:
- Job training
- Testing and analysis of potential transferrable skills
- Assistance with résumé development and job application completion
- Interviews skills coaching
- Job search assistance
- Help with salary negotiation
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
- Americans with Disabilities (ADA) reasonable accommodation assistance
For the most part, all the employee needs to do for vocational rehabilitation is accept the benefits. However, once they have accepted this benefit, they must fully cooperate with their vocational counselor, attend every scheduled appointment, and make valid attempts to seek suitable employment. Failure to meet these requirements could mean losing their Workers’ Compensation benefits altogether.
Important Facts About Vocational Rehabilitation
The following facts explain how Workers’ Compensation can help injured workers return to the workforce after an injury.
- The goal of vocational rehabilitation is to help the employee return to their previous job. If that is not possible, a counselor will work with you to develop a return-to-work plan aimed at placing you in a job that you are able to perform.
- If you are given permanent work restrictions, vocational rehabilitation can help you transition to a different job. Depending on the circumstances, you may make less money in your new job.
- You may take advantage of vocational rehabilitation through your Workers’ Compensation plan for up to two years.
- You may also receive wage loss benefits while you are pursuing vocational rehabilitation. If your new job pays less than your previous job, Workers’ Compensation will pay the difference.
- You are not responsible for paying for vocational rehabilitation. These services are covered under your Workers’ Compensation plan.
- In most cases, vocational rehabilitation is available once you have reached maximum medical improvement.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Injured Workers Obtain the Benefits They Deserve
If you have been injured on the job in Maryland and your injury prevents you from being able to return to work in the same capacity, the Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will help you with the claims process, including vocational rehabilitation benefits. To set up a free consultation, call us today at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
