If you have been injured on the job in Myrtle Beach, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including vocational rehabilitation.
Vocational rehabilitation is a program that helps injured workers who cannot return to their previous jobs gain the skills they need to qualify for other work. Getting vocational rehabilitation benefits from workers’ compensation can be difficult because insurers do not want to pay more money than they absolutely have to.
The experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm are ready to help you fight for the full benefits you deserve. We know how to deflect insurance company tactics that could deprive you of the vocational rehab and other benefits you are entitled to.
Contact us today for a free case review to discuss how we can protect your rights and pursue the vocational rehabilitation you need.
Why Vocational Rehabilitation Matters After a Workplace Injury in Myrtle Beach
Serious workplace injuries can lead to lasting disabilities that make it impossible to return to your previous job. But that does not necessarily mean your career is over. You may still be able to perform other types of work.
That is why vocational rehabilitation services are so valuable after a workplace injury in Myrtle Beach. Vocational rehab programs can help you build new skills, explore alternative roles, and successfully reenter the workforce, even if it means taking a different path from before.
How the Vocational Rehabilitation Process Works in Myrtle Beach
To get vocational rehabilitation services through workers’ compensation in Myrtle Beach, you should:
- Report your injury. You must report a workplace injury to your employer as soon as possible after getting hurt, and in most cases, no later than 90 days after a work accident. Promptly notifying your employer of your injury will preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
- Get a medical evaluation. You should seek prompt medical attention to evaluate and diagnose your injuries and develop a treatment plan.
- File a workers’ compensation claim. You must file claim forms to formally start your workers’ compensation claim and secure your right to benefits.
- Complete treatment. Complete the treatment and rehabilitation recommended by your physician. As you reach the point at which your condition will no longer improve, your physician can assess the permanent disabilities or limitations caused by your work injuries.
- Request vocational rehabilitation services. When physical limitations or restrictions prevent you from returning to your old job, you may contact your employer or the workers’ compensation insurer to request vocational rehabilitation to transition to a different role or industry.
- Consult a vocational rehabilitation counselor. After getting approved, you must find and attend a consultation with a vocational rehabilitation counselor who will assess your needs.
- Develop a vocational rehabilitation plan. Your counselor can create a tailored vocational rehabilitation plan that outlines your needs.
- Participate in services. Engage in the services outlined in your vocational rehabilitation plan, like rehabilitation, job training, or job placement assistance.
Who Qualifies for Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits in South Carolina?
A worker may qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits when they reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which further treatment will not improve the worker’s condition. Other criteria include:
- The physical requirements of the worker’s pre-injury job exceed their current capabilities.
- The worker’s occupational injury caused a permanent disability or limitation that prevents them from performing one or more of their prior job duties.
- The worker’s existing experience or skills will not transfer to other roles or industries without additional training.
- The worker must obtain additional education or skills to enter a different position or field of employment.
Types of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Available in Myrtle Beach
Vocational rehabilitation may involve various types of services, including:
- Assessments – Vocational rehabilitation typically begins with a comprehensive evaluation to identify an injured worker’s abilities and limitations and their career options. Evaluations allow the worker and their vocational counselor to develop a comprehensive plan.
- Disability benefits counseling – Some injured workers may qualify for state and federal disability benefits. Many disability benefit programs include return-to-work programs that allow individuals to gradually resume working without immediately jeopardizing their benefits.
- Rehabilitation and assistive technology – Vocational rehabilitation can include physical or occupational rehabilitation to help injured workers rebuild physical strength and dexterity, or learn adaptive strategies to manage physical limitations. Rehabilitation services may also include identifying assistive technology and durable medical equipment that may help injured workers perform various job tasks.
- Job retraining – An injured worker may need specialized training to transition into another job that aligns with their physical limitations. Vocational rehabilitation can include educational courses or internships.
- Job search assistance – Vocational rehabilitation can provide services to help an injured worker find a new job, either with their pre-injury employer or with a new company. Job search assistance can include assessments to identify suitable roles based on the worker’s education, training, and experience, as well as resume counseling, job interview preparation, and counseling support when the worker starts a new job.
Employer Responsibilities in Supporting Vocational Rehabilitation
An employer may have various responsibilities to fulfill to support an injured worker who is undergoing vocational rehabilitation:
- Coordinating with the workers’ compensation insurer to provide the injured worker with benefits
- Communicating with the injured worker about whether the employer has alternative work suitable for the worker’s limitations
- Collaborating on developing a return-to-work plan if the employer has other positions that the worker can transition to with additional training or other vocational rehabilitation support
What to Do If Your Vocational Rehabilitation Claim Is Denied
Sometimes, employers and workers’ compensation insurers will refuse to pay for vocational rehabilitation. If your employer or the insurer denies your claim, you should:
- Make sure you have notified your employer of your work injury and filed your workers’ compensation claim.
- Obtain copies of your medical records or request a report from your primary physician regarding your physical limitations on your ability to work.
- Follow your physician’s treatment plan and recommendations.
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney at Jebaily Law Firm if your employer or its workers’ compensation insurer refuses your request for vocational rehabilitation.
Speak With Our Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Vocational Rehabilitation Support
If you have been injured at work in Myrtle Beach and cannot return to your previous job, you may qualify for South Carolina workers’ comp vocational rehabilitation benefits. The experienced workplace injury attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm can explain your rights and guide you through the process of securing the support you need to rebuild your career.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
