Michigan workers’ comp lawyer discusses permanent restrictions after microdiscectomy.
Many of our clients have been doing physical labor for their entire lives. Spinal injuries can be a game changer if they prevent an individual from lifting, standing, or walking. This is especially true when an employee ends up with permanent restrictions after microdiscectomy. The transition to sedentary work is not easy and starting over in a new position can result in less pay.
We encourage our clients who are given restrictions after this surgery to start thinking about the future. Many return to gainful employment with a little help. Here is some information about light duty job offers, vocational rehabilitation, and settlement. Always call an experienced workers’ comp lawyer whenever these issues arise.
Light Duty Job Offers For Injured Workers With Permanent Restrictions After A Microdiscectomy
Employers have an incentive to bring people with permanent restrictions after microdiscectomy back to work. Finding them a new job within the company ends responsibility for paying wage loss benefits under workers’ comp. This is called light duty or reasonable employment. It is defined as work within the employee’s capacity to perform that poses no clear and proximate threat to health and safety. It is not limited to jobs within qualifications and training, so anything is fair game. The job must also be a reasonable distance from the employee’s home.
Failure to accept a light duty job offer can result in a forfeiture of wages. Watch out for employers who violate restrictions or only provide demeaning tasks. We have represented many people who have a dispute with their employer about a light duty job offer.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation is available when an employee must be retrained for a new career. It is possible to get workers’ comp insurance to pay for education and other items needed for retraining. This can be a great benefit for someone who has permanent restrictions after microdiscectomy.
Vocational rehabilitation is supposed to be about helping the injured worker get back to gainful employment. Our experience shows that insurance companies abuse the system. Watch out for vocational counselors hired by insurance companies who do not have best interests at heart. Insurance companies also use “phantom wages” from jobs that might not even be available to cut the weekly comp rate.
Settlement
Employees can trade workers’ comp benefits for a lump sum cash payment. This is an attractive option because it allows people to put money in the bank and move on with their lives. Our clients with permeant restrictions after microdiscectomy are then free to do their own job search without interference.
Settlement money can be used for any purpose including medical treatment, job search efforts, vocational rehabilitation, starting a business, and even retirement. The amount paid for settlement is going to depend upon length of disability and future medical needs. Consult an experienced workers’ comp lawyer before settlement amount negotiations begin so maximum value can be obtained.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (844) 316-8033 for a free consultation today.
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