How Does Vocational Rehabilitation Work?

When a workplace accident results in a career-ending injury, injured workers often find themselves unable to support themselves or their families. Through vocational rehabilitation, however, injured workers may be able to return to work and make a living. In this blog, we will discuss some common career-ending injuries and how vocational rehabilitation can help injured workers return to some semblance of normalcy.

Common Types of Career-Ending Injuries

Vocational rehabilitation is often sought after a worker experiences a traumatic career-ending injury or an injury that prevents them from returning to their previous employment. There are a variety of injuries that could lead to the end of a person’s career. Here are some common examples:

• Back Injuries - These injuries can range from herniated discs to fractures and usually occur due to heavy lifting, falls, or car accidents.
• Brain Injuries - Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often occur due to slips, trips, and falls or being struck by objects (for example, a construction worker falling off a ladder or being hit in the head by a piece of equipment).
• Spinal Cord Injuries - These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis and often occur due to construction or industrial accidents and falls.
• Loss of Limbs - Amputations can occur due to work-related accidents, like crush or caught-in between accidents.

What is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational rehabilitation is a process designed to help individuals with career-ending injuries or disabilities resulting from devastating work accidents return to work or find suitable employment. The goal of vocational rehabilitation is for participants to gain the skills they need to become self-sufficient, productive members of their community once again. Vocational rehabilitation services can include:

• Job training
• Job placement assistance, and
• Vocational counseling/education

How Does it Work?

To participate in vocational rehabilitation, injured workers must submit a screening request with Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation Reemployment Services within one year of receiving their last receipt of lost wages or medical treatment. After the request is submitted, the Division will assign a vocational rehabilitation counselor to the injured worker’s case, who will conduct an assessment to determine what types of vocational rehabilitation services they require to find gainful employment.

Before meeting with a vocational rehabilitation counselor, however, it is important to reach out to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. They can help prepare you for your initial evaluation to ensure you are receiving the most out of your benefits.

How Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. Can Help Injured Workers in Hollywood, FL

Vocational rehabilitation is a process that can help injured workers transition into new careers after sustaining an injury on the job. If you have been injured on the job and are unable to retain gainful employment afterward, contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. today. We will guide you through the workers’ compensation process and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

If you were injured in a work-related accident, call us today at (888) 499-6206 to schedule a free initial consultation.