Do You Need Vocational Rehabilitation?

Insight from Our Atlanta Workers’ Comp Attorney

When an individual suffers an injury on the job, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Vocational rehabilitation is a benefit that can be included for employees who suffered such serious injuries that they can no longer perform their job duties. Vocational rehab works to place these injured employees in new roles, whether at their current company or another one. These benefits can also take the form of a Nurse, who must also be a Registered Rehabilitation Supplier, who serves to coordinate medical care and referrals to specialists, scheduling of appointments, and all related matters, in order to facilitate the injured worker's medical care and recovery.

These tools are designed to help injured individuals re-enter the workforce in an effective manner. If you believe you need vocational rehabilitation, do not hesitate to give Kaleita Law Firm, LLC, P.C. a call today! Our seasoned Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine whether you are eligible and ensure you get full advantage of these benefits if necessary.

When Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits Are Needed

Not every workplace injury will require rehabilitation services. If you and your employer both decide that these benefits would be helpful in your situation and allow you to return to your job or a new position in a more effective manner, then you can move forward with rehabilitation. In most cases, however, only catastrophic injuries need this type of support. While employees who suffered minor injuries may not necessarily be extended rehabilitation benefits by their employer or the workers' compensation insurance company, participation in rehabilitation services is required in catastrophic injury cases, unless a satisfactory reason is shown why they are not necessary.

Our Relationship with Nurse Case Managers

Rehabilitation services can be a double-edged sword; it often requires the assistance of a qualified workers' compensation attorney to ensure the injured workers' interests are being forwarded by such services. Formal vocational rehabilitation benefits are usually not provided in most non-catastrophic cases, although often rehabilitation benefits are provided in non-catastrophic cases by a Nurse who is a Registered Rehabilitation Supplier; these Nurses can assist with medical care, selection of doctors and specialists, coordination of appointments, and other related matters. These benefits are also optional and the employee can terminate such services if they are not wanted.

Many attorneys will automatically stop the services of a rehabilitation Nurse when the attorney gets involved in a case, which we believe can be short-sighted. There is a common belief that because they are paid by the insurance companies, they are therefore always on the side of the insurance companies. While this is true with some individual rehabilitation suppliers, we do not agree with this as a general rule, and we have a lot of success stories from working with them. While their assistance is optional, we strive to help you take advantage of all benefits offered to you. If we believe these individuals can help with your case, we make sure to develop a strong and trusting relationship with them, and we monitor their activities and your case very closely throughout. If you have a Nurse working on your case and you are wondering if this is a good or bad thing in your case, please call us for a free consultation, and we will advise you based upon the facts of your case.

Call Today for Reliable Representation & Counsel

Rehabilitation services of either kind can be very helpful for certain injury victims. If you believe vocational rehabilitation is needed for your injuries, or you have suffered a catastrophic injury, be sure to communicate with your employer to determine if you both agree on them. Our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney can ensure your rights are represented throughout the entire process and you get the reliable support you need to get back on your feet.

You can tell us more about your situation in a free case evaluation today!