Michigan workers’ comp lawyer discusses permanent restrictions after a shoulder replacement surgery and potential options.
Many of our clients have been doing physical labor for their entire careers. Shoulder injuries can be a game changer if they prevent an individual from lifting or carrying heavy items. This is especially true when a Michigan employee ends up with permanent restrictions after shoulder replacement surgery. The transition to light work is not easy and starting over in a new job can result in much lower pay.
We encourage our Michigan clients who are given permanent restrictions to start thinking about the future. Many people can return to gainful employment with a little help. Here is some information about light duty job offers, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and workers’ comp settlements. Always call an experienced workers’ comp lawyer whenever these issues arise.
Workers’ Comp Benefits For Employees With Permanent Work Restrictions After Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Light Duty Job Offers
Employers have a big incentive to help people with permanent restrictions after shoulder replacement surgery in Michigan. 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 just offer demeaning tasks.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Vocational rehabilitation is available in Michigan 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. Unfortunately, our experience shows that insurance companies abuse the system. Watch out for vocational counselors who do not have best interests at heart and just want to place a disabled employee in any job. Insurance companies also use “phantom wages” from jobs that might not even be available to cut the weekly comp rate.
Workers’ Comp Settlements
In Michigan, if an employee suffered a shoulder injury on the job and were given permanent restrictions after shoulder replacement surgery then they have the option to trade workers’ comp benefits for a lump sum cash payment. This is an attractive option because it allows people to move on with their lives. Our clients are 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 workers’ comp settlement amount paid is going to depend upon future medical needs and extent of disability. It is important to hire an experienced workers’ comp lawyer to negotiate settlement in order to protect legal rights and maximize what is paid.
Were you put on permanent restrictions after shoulder replacement surgery due to a shoulder injury suffered on the job in Michigan? Call now, our attorneys can help!
If you suffered a shoulder injury on the job in Michigan and were put on permanent work restrictions after shouler replacement surgery and have questions about your workers’ comp claim, call now to speak with an experienced attorney, or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you.
Our attorneys have been exclusively helping injured workers in Michigan for more than 35 years. Our attorneys can help you better understand Michigan laws and what happens after someone has been hurt on the job. To see what our own clients have to say about the caring, compassion, and communication they received from us, you can read in their own words about their experience here on our testimonials page from clients we have helped.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented hurt and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (844) 316-8033 for a free consultation today.
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