Vocational Rehabilitation Workers’ Compensation

Vocational Rehabilitation in Bowling Green, KY

When a work-related injury or illness prevents you from returning to your old job, you could be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits through the Kentucky workers’ compensation system. Also known as “job retraining,” these benefits are meant to help prepare you to re-enter the workforce when you can no longer perform the duties required by your previous, pre-injury employment.

At Kentucky Injury Law Center, our Bowling Green vocational rehabilitation attorneys assist clients throughout the state in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims. We can help you determine if you qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits and are prepared to advocate for the maximum compensation you are owed under state and federal law.

Continue reading to learn more about vocational rehabilitation workers’ compensation benefits in Kentucky or contact us at (270) 423-0023 for a free, confidential consultation.

What is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational rehabilitation is a workers’ compensation benefit that pays for certain costs associated with job retraining and education. The purpose of vocational rehabilitation is to help injured and disabled individuals achieve financial independence through suitable employment.

If approved, an injured or disabled worker may be able to have the following costs covered by vocational rehabilitation workers’ comp benefits:

• “Reasonable” course fees for retraining/educational classes and trainings
• Relevant educational materials, such as books
• Weekly cost-of-living allowance (if certain conditions are met)

Generally speaking, these benefits are only available while the retraining period is ongoing. Once the individual has completed vocational rehabilitation, he or she will not be eligible to receive related benefits through the Kentucky workers’ compensation system.

Who is Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation?

Not everyone who is injured on the job or suffers a work-related medical condition is eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

First and foremost, because vocational rehabilitation benefits are issued through the state’s workers’ compensation system, an individual must qualify for workers’ compensation in order to be eligible for these benefits. This means that, among other requirements, they must be a covered employee (meaning their employer has workers’ compensation insurance) who suffered a job-related injury or illness.

Additionally, to access the state’s retraining program, qualified individuals must meet the following requirements:

• They are not able to return to work due to a job-related injury covered by the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act of 1981 (known as “The Act”)
• They have participated in or attempted to participate in a “return-to-work” program established under Section 155C(1) of The Act
• They are a good candidate for retraining and specialized job retraining through the program is a viable option for the individual requesting the benefit
• They do not have other viable options outside of formal vocational rehabilitation, educational study, and/or job retraining for returning to work
• Vocational rehabilitation and/or job retraining can reasonably be expected to provide them with the skills needed to re-enter the workforce

Additionally, to qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits, you must meet highly specific criteria related to your “whole-person impairment” rating. Among other requirements, you must have a permanent whole-person impairment rating that is not less than 10% but not more than 14%, as agreed upon by you and your employer or as determined by an arbitrator.

What is a Vocational Evaluation in Workers’ Compensation?

A vocational evaluation for workers’ compensation, also known as a vocational assessment, is the process used to determine an individual’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits, as well as the amount they are entitled to receive. The evaluation is typically conducted by a professional called a “vocational expert.” This expert will look at a variety of factors to decide on your case.

Some of the elements reviewed in most typical vocational evaluations include:

• The severity of the injury
• The duration of the worker’s recovery
• The workers’ permanent whole-person impairment rating
• The extent of the worker’s disability
• What limitations (if any) affect the worker’s ability to re-enter the workforce
• What jobs are available in the worker’s local/regional workforce
• An estimate of how much the worker may be able to earn in the future
• The amount the worker earned prior to being injured/becoming ill
• The value of the worker’s expected earnings over time

The most important thing you can do during the vocational assessment is to be honest with the evaluator. It is important that you advocate for yourself by providing honest answers and offering relevant information regarding your work history, injuries/disability, earnings, and other details.

How an Attorney at Kentucky Injury Law Center Can Help

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Kentucky is often riddled with challenges. At Kentucky Injury Law Center, our workers’ compensation attorneys can assist you in every aspect of your claim, from determining whether you are eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits to helping you prepare for your evaluation to appealing a denied claim. We have extensive experience in this area of law and know the ins and outs of the Kentucky workers’ compensation system.

Our goal is to protect you and your rights. Reach out to our team today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our vocational rehabilitation lawyers in Bowling Green. We do not charge any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses when you hire our firm; instead, we only get paid if you do!

Contact us online or by phone at (270) 423-0023 to get started today with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.