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 prior to an initial assessment can be of significant benefit. 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 afforded an opportunity to review the final draft of the original plan and make suggestions prior to the plan being finalized.

Job Placement Activities

Job placement activities begin only after completion of the vocational assessment and finalization of 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 working on drafting an effective resume, assistance with job applications, working to establish on-the-job training, or even working on 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.