How Does Vocational Rehabilitation Help Injured Workers Return To Work?
Suffering a work-related injury can be devastating. Healing and returning to work are usually the most urgent priorities after a workplace injury. Unfortunately, while some workers heal and return to work within a short time, some are unable to go back to their old jobs after a workplace injury. This can happen when a person suffers a severe injury or if they are left with an impairment. Vocational rehabilitation is a crucial resource for workers who are unable to return to their previous jobs due to a work-related injury. VR provides workers with the support and services they need to regain employment after an injury. It addresses the physical, emotional, and skill-related challenges injured workers may face. In this article, we discuss the meaning of vocational rehabilitation, the services included under vocational rehabilitation, and who pays for vocational rehabilitation after a workplace injury.
Understanding Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation is a program meant to help injured workers return to useful employment. Vocational rehabilitation can be helpful for individuals with severe back, neck, or spinal injuries, bone fractures or amputations, chronic pain conditions, traumatic brain injuries, vision or hearing loss, and other severe injuries or disabilities. VR offers essential support and resources for rejoining the workforce. These services help bridge the gap between an injured person’s capabilities and the requirements of the job market. Vocational rehabilitation focuses on an individual’s strengths, interests, and limitations, as well as developing a tailored plan that can help the individual transition back to work. A good vocational rehabilitation counselor can help a worker get back to work at their previous wage level or as close to it as possible.
Services Included Under Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation offers various services aimed at helping injured or disabled workers return to the workforce. The services may differ from one person to the other, but they include the following;
- Evaluation and Counseling: An assessment of the individual’s skills, limitations, and interests to develop a personalized return-to-work plan.
- Skills Training and Education: Workshops, training programs, or formal education to help a person obtain new skills or improve existing ones, especially if they need to get a job in a different field.
- Career Counseling and Job Search Guidance: Advice on career options, job search techniques, crafting resumes, and interview preparation. This can help workers explore potential job paths and increase their chances of finding suitable employment.
- Job Modifications: Recommendations for modifying the work environment or job duties to meet the worker’s limitations.
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Counseling services to help the worker manage their emotional and mental challenges.
Who Pays for Vocational Rehabilitation?
Workers’ compensation covers vocational rehabilitation if the injury or disability is work-related or, in other words, occurred in the course of employment. If your injury or disability is work-related, the injury or disability significantly impacts your ability to perform your previous job duties, and you are expected to achieve gainful employment through vocational rehabilitation services, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover your vocational rehabilitation costs.
Contact a Vermont Workers’ Compensation Attorney
After suffering a work-related injury or disability, you need a legal advocate by your side who can help protect your rights and fight for the benefits you deserve. Contact our skilled Vermont workers’ compensation attorney at Sluka Law PLC to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
