Vocational
Rehabilitation
at Wilson, Reives & Doran
Vocational Rehabilitation is a multi-faceted process by which an injured worker with a compensable workers’ compensation claim receives assistance from a qualified or conditional rehabilitation professional in an attempt to return to the workforce after a disabling injury.
Specifically in NC Workers’ Compensation cases, “Vocational Rehabilitation” refers to the delivery and coordination of services under an individualized plan, with the goal of returning an injured worker to “suitable employment.” Services can include assessment, job exploration, counseling, testing, job modification, and job placement.
How Does Vocational Rehabilitation Work?
Under North Carolina General Statute § 97-32.2, vocational rehabilitation services can start at any time. The vocational rehabilitation process can start at any point during the claim. That being said, vocational rehabilitation traditionally begins when an injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and has been released to return to work with permanent restrictions. The vocational rehabilitation process is mostly used when the original employer cannot accommodate the permanent restrictions, or the injured worker is otherwise no longer employed at the workplace where he or she was injured.
The Vocational Assessment
This is generally the first step in beginning the vocational rehabilitation process. The assessment is a meeting between the rehabilitation professional assigned to the worker, the injured worker, and usually the worker’s attorney if he or she has one. The assessment should include an evaluation of the worker’s expectations, an evaluation of any specific requests by the worker regarding medical care or vocational training, and a statement from the rehabilitation professional with a conclusion relative to the injured worker’s need for rehabilitation services, benefits expected, and a description of the proposed vocational rehabilitation plan.
Meeting with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer before an initial assessment can benefit significantly. An attorney can help the worker think about requests, expectations, and needs to establish a solid game plan heading into the meeting and initial assessment.
The Rehabilitation Plan
After the initial assessment, the rehabilitation professional develops an individual plan tailored to the injured worker’s specific needs, skills, and goals as learned through the initial vocational assessment. North Carolina General Statute § 97-32.2 allows for the rehabilitation plan to be changed or updated at any time with the mutual consent of the parties. Therefore, the worker can continually review the plan and suggest modifications during the entire course of the vocational rehabilitation process. The worker should also be allowed to review the original plan’s final draft and make suggestions before the plan is finalized.
Job Placement Activities
Job placement activities begin only after completing the vocational assessment and finalizing the rehabilitation plan. Generally, the injured worker and rehabilitation professional meet on a weekly basis to discuss progress and work on developing skills to assist the worker in returning to the work force. Activities can include drafting an effective resume, assisting with job applications, establishing on-the-job training, or even finding classes to obtain a GED or gain some basic computer skills.
Will Vocational Rehabilitation Pay for Education?
North Carolina General Statue § 97-32.2 states that when an injured worker has either not returned to work in any capacity or has returned to a job but is earning less than 75% of his or her pre-injury wage, the worker can request education and retraining within the NC Community College and/or University system, so long as the education and retraining is reasonably likely to substantially increase the injured worker’s earning capacity following completion of the education or retraining.
What If I Find Work That Pays Less Than What I Was Earning Before My Injury?
North Carolina General Statute § 97-30 allows for disability compensation when an injured worker, because of his or her compensable injury, is unable to find a job earning the same or greater wages when he or she was hurt. Benefits paid here are calculated by looking at the difference in the average wage earned before the injury and the current wages earned, and then taking 66 and 2/3 % of the difference between the two to calculate the weekly benefit. This can go on for up to 500 weeks; however, any weeks of benefits paid when the worker was totally disabled are deducted from the 500 weeks.
For example, a worker was earning $500.00 a week before her injury. After sustaining a compensable work injury, she missed a year of work and received weekly benefits for that time period. She finds a new job earning $400.00 per week. Workers’ Comp will pay 66 2/3% of the difference ($66.67) for a period of up to 448 weeks. In this case, the worker would get a paycheck from her new job plus $66.67/week from workers’ comp.
It’s a good idea to have an experienced attorney look at any job offers before accepting a job.
What Happens If I Do Not Comply With Vocational Rehabilitation?
If the rehabilitation professional thinks that there are issues of non-compliance, he or she must advise all parties and inform them what is needed to come back into compliance with the rehabilitation plan. If continued failure to comply occurs, the Industrial Commission can enter an order compelling compliance, and eventually, a worker could be looking at a termination of weekly benefits.
If you are on vocational rehabilitation and receive a non-compliance notice, you should contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney immediately.
Schedule of Benefits
The schedule of benefits for 100% impairment of various body parts is as follows:
Back – 300 weeks
Arm – 240 weeks
Hand – 200 weeks
Foot – 144 weeks
Leg – 200 weeks
Eye – 120 weeks
Thumb – 75 weeks
First or index finger – 45 weeks
Second or middle finger – 40 weeks
Third or ring finger – 25 weeks
Fourth or little finger – 20 weeks
Hearing (one ear) – 70 weeks
Hearing (both ears) – 150 weeks
Big toe – 35 weeks
Any other toe – 10 weeks
For example, 100% loss of the use of your arm is worth 240 weeks of benefits at your weekly rate. If you have an injury where you regain 90% use of your arm, but still have restrictions and limitations, the doctor would assign a 10% PPD rating and you could elect to receive 10% of 240 weeks or 24 weeks of additional compensation for your injury.