If you have been injured in the workplace as a result of some accident it is likely that you are eligible for workers’ compensation. You may also be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits if your workplace injury stops you from doing the work you did before the injury. This article will discuss vocational rehabilitation benefits, what they are and how you can get them.

One article states that, “sometimes an injury or occupational disease can affect your ability to return to a previous job. That’s where vocational rehabilitation comes in. It is a collaborative process that helps you safely transition back to the job you were doing or to other suitable employment.” Therefore, vocational rehabilitation describes a wide variety of services that help injured workers develop the skills they need in order to return to their jobs or to an entirely new line of work. A Crowson Law Group attorney stated that, “vocational rehabilitation helps injured workers to transition successfully to other fields of work or in some cases to adapt to a different job within the same field or with the same employer. The services provided by way of vocational rehabilitation are tailored specifically to the needs of the particular employee. However, in general, services can include skills evaluation, placement, assistance with résumé writing, job training, career counselling, additional education and help determining the ideal work environment for successful employment.”

One of the many things a vocational rehabilitation counselor will do is create a rehabilitation plan for the worker. Such a plan is based on that employee’s abilities and limitations. The plan could be as simple as redesigning a workstation in order to make it more suitable to an injured employee. For example, if an employee with a hand injury would find it difficult to type on a normal keyboard or operate a normal telephone, the vocational rehabilitation counselor could simply make a plan that the employee will need a different type of keyboard or telephone that is easier to operate. With regards to the telephone the employee may be provided with a headset. Other plans that the counsellor could provide are to test the employee’s skills in order to find what jobs would better suit that employee, help the employee to obtain the necessary education or certificates in that field and assist with finding a job in the new field.

It must be noted that an employee is eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation benefits if he or she is unable to return to their regular job as a result of the workplace injury. Each state has their own set of rules that must be followed in order for an employee to receive vocational rehabilitation services. However, it is generally necessary for the employee to get approval from the insurance company or the state workers’ compensation board before obtaining vocational rehabilitation services.

It is important to realize that the nature of the injury is the determining factor as to whether or not you will receive vocational rehabilitation services. Minor injuries will not result in an employee being eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. To learn if your injuries qualify for vocational rehabilitation services contact Anchorage attorneys that focus on workers’ compensation claims.

About the company:

Crowson Law Group is a law firm of renowned professionals who focus on personal injury matters including workers’ compensation. For access to the best and experienced lawyers, contact the top Anchorage law firms.