If you get injured at work, you have the right to file a claim against your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This is something that the vast majority of employees have the right to do.
The two main things workers’ compensation is known for are covering the necessary medical treatment and covering wage loss while the employee is getting treatment and recovering. The eventual goal is always to get the employee back to work if possible. Yet sometimes extra help is needed to do this. This is where another of the benefits comes in.
Vocational rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation is designed to help injured employees get back into the workplace. It benefits the employee, because it helps them get back to earning an income. It’s often beneficial to their employer as well because the employee likely has workplace-specific skills and experience that the employer can continue to benefit from. (Note that it’s not always possible for an injured worker to return to their same job or even a different job within the same company.)
The help provided can be physical, vocational and psychological. What is needed will differ from person to person, so each person’s needs should be considered.
Despite the considerable benefits of workers’ compensation to injured employees, employers and the economy as a whole, employees sometimes have to fight hard to get the benefits and help they are entitled to under the law. Workers’ comp insurance companies and employers sometimes make things difficult for workers. Those who have been injured may want to get legal guidance to protect their right to compensation.