Most people are familiar with workers’ compensation and its payment of lost wages and medical bills. But these aren’t the only benefits that injured workers may receive. In some cases, a worker may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. These cases are usually quite serious, which means there’s a lot at stake for the injured worker. That’s why you deserve every benefit the law entitles you to receive. If you’ve got questions about Arkansas workers’ compensation, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield.
What is vocational rehabilitation?
Some workplace injuries are so severe that lost wages and medical bills are just not enough. Most injured workers will eventually be able to return to their jobs. However, some are so badly hurt that they can’t return to work. This is where vocational rehabilitation comes in.
Vocational rehabilitation is designed to train injured workers on a new career path after they’ve suffered major injury. This could mean help finding a new job, or it may mean finding one that fits within the employee’s limitations. In Arkansas, vocational rehabilitation is included as a possible workers’ compensation benefit. But the injury has to be fairly severe before rehabilitation will be an option. In fact, the injury has to cause a worker to suffer permanent impairment.
In the event of a serious workplace accident like this, the workers’ comp insurer may offer vocational rehabilitation. Or the worker may have to request it. The proposed rehabilitation plan must be reasonable as it relates to the worker’s new limitations.
Vocational rehabilitation is paid on top of any other benefits the injured worker may be entitled to. Physical therapy is a related though distinct benefit the worker could also receive after one of these accidents.
What are the employer’s and employee’s responsibilities with respect to vocational rehabilitation?
Employers and employees have certain duties concerning vocational rehabilitation. Under Arkansas law, a disabled worker may receive reasonable expenses of travel, maintenance, and other necessary costs of vocational rehabilitation. Provided, as mentioned above, that the program is reasonable in relation to the worker’s disability. The employer’s responsibility for these payments is not absolute. It shall not exceed 72 weeks, regardless of the length of the vocational program requested.
The employee, on the other hand, is not required to participate in vocational rehabilitation against his or her will. This right is also spelled out in Arkansas law. But there’s a consequence to refusing vocational rehabilitation offered by the employer. The worker could be missing out on substantial benefits. No employee who refuses rehabilitation is entitled to permanent partial disability benefits exceeding the percentage of permanent physical impairment. In other words, the employee could be leaving money on the table by not participating in vocational rehabilitation.
Have Questions About Vocational Rehabilitation? We Have Answers
Arkansas’ workers’ compensation rules exist to encourage injured workers to return to employment as best as possible. That includes, if necessary, by way of vocational rehabilitation. It’s an important right that every seriously injured worker needs to know about.
And it starts with contacting a dedicated Arkansas workers’ comp lawyer. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we want to see injured workers made whole. That means being able to work again, where possible, to provide for themselves and their families. Vocational rehabilitation is one way this can happen. If you’ve been seriously hurt in a workplace accident, reach out to our team today. We’re ready to get started on your workers’ compensation case.