Vocational Rehabilitation in Columbia
Depending on the severity of the injury, some workers’ compensation cases may require an injured employee to undergo vocational rehabilitation. Missouri’s Department of Labor’s Division of Workers’ Compensation administers a program an employer may use to provide vocational rehabilitation benefits to a severely injured worker.
If authorized by an employer, an employee may receive vocational rehabilitation services that are reasonably necessary to restore the employee to suitable and gainful employment. Reach out to an experienced workers’ comp lawyer to learn more about vocational rehabilitation in Columbia.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Workers’ compensation cases can involve a variety of benefits. These benefits include but are not limited to medical benefits for the treatment of injury or illness, disability benefits, wage loss benefits, and sometimes vocational benefits. In situations where an injured employee is no longer able to return to his or her existing job, vocational rehabilitation benefits may be offered.
The goal of a vocational rehabilitation service is to help an injured employee find meaningful and equal employment moving forward. Vocational rehabilitation services offer assistance in the following areas:
- Transferable skills testing and analysis
- On-the-job training for a different career
- Job application and resume assistance
- Labor market analysis
- Job search assistance
- Wage earnings assessment
- Occupational counseling
- Medical management
- Tuition and educational assistance for retraining programs
In order to obtain vocational rehabilitation benefits in Columbia, the injured employee may have to meet certain criteria established by state law. It can be beneficial to speak with an attorney about these criteria.
What Types of Injuries Might Qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation?
Not all injured workers will qualify for vocational rehabilitation. Potential injuries that may warrant these benefits include:
- Severe mangling, crushing, amputation, or nerve impairment of a major extremity.
- Traumatic back injuries
- Severe burns
- Traumatic head/brain injuries (TBIs, concussions, etc.)
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
Those who are unsure where their injuries qualify should get in touch with a seasoned local attorney.
Voluntary Vocational Rehabilitation in Columbia
Unfortunately, state workers’ compensation law does not require employers or their insurance carriers to provide vocational rehabilitation assistance to injured workers. However, Missouri law does provide for voluntary vocational rehabilitation.
Voluntary vocational rehabilitation may be furnished by an employer or insurance carrier at their discretion. In other words, employers and insurance carriers in Columbia can decide whether or not to include vocational rehabilitation services.
Reach Out to a Lawyer To Discuss Vocational Rehabilitation in Columbia
If you or a loved one has been injured and are unable to return to work, contact an attorney today. You may qualify for vocational rehabilitation in Columbia.
The Law Office of Chris Miller has extensive experience in dealing with reluctant insurance companies. Remember, insurance companies are a business first and foremost and are therefore always seeking to minimize costs. We’re here to deal with the insurance companies while you get your life back on track.