Job Search, Job Search, Job Search!

Call now for a free consultation
Available 24/7

Injured? It’s Time to Get Some Answers

Don’t let the insurance adjuster push you around. Request your free consultation today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today
You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and we pride ourselves on providing you with care, trust, and responsiveness.

Looking for a new job could make or break your workers’ compensation case.

Our clients moan and groan when told to look for a new job. This seems silly when a person is still technically employed and receiving disability benefits from other sources. Here is why a job search is a critical step in your workers’ compensation case.

The Michigan Legislature enacted major changes to workers’ compensation in 2011. Insurance companies now get a credit for phantom wages that are not actually paid. This is accomplished by hiring a vocational expert to say jobs are available but you are not trying hard enough to find them.

Performing a good-faith job search proves these made-up jobs don’t exist. It is critical evidence that a magistrate can use to award full workers’ compensation benefits.

The Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission (MCAC) has provided guidance on this issue. Potential employment opportunities must be:

1) Suitable to plaintiff’s qualifications and training;

2) Within plaintiff’s work-related restrictions and;

3) Available to plaintiff.

Only when plaintiff proves that no suitable, restriction-compliant jobs are available can the magistrate order full benefits. A difficult burden indeed!

Michigan law is unclear about what constitutes a good-faith job search. We recommend that our clients create a job search log and write down several leads each week. They are told not limit the search to past employment but consider hobbies and skills acquired over a lifetime. Even entry-level and low paying jobs should be explored.

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 (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.

Related information:

Appellate Commission Releases Common Sense Decision

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by photologue_np.

Author Bio Jeffrey Kaufman

Author
Jeffrey E. Kaufman
Michigan Workers Comp Attorney

Jeffrey E. Kaufman has extensive experience in workers compensation cases and has recovered millions of dollars in benefits for his clients. He believes all injured workers deserve to be on equal footing with insurance companies and employers, and fights tenaciously so their rights are secured and protected.


“Jeff also helped me with getting my Blue Cross bills paid. I would absolutely recommend him and the whole firm. Jeff and the firm did everything they were supposed to do for me and my case.”
Ricardo Perfetto

Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews

Related Blog Posts

Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today

You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and our clients love how they’re treated with care, respect, and responsiveness. We will give you the time you need, we will explain your legal rights, and we will always treat you with respect.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Injured? It’s Time to Get Some Answers

Don’t let the insurance adjuster push you around. Request your free consultation today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.