If you can’t return to your previous job, voc rehab benefits will pay to train you for work in another field or for your education
If you’re unable to do your past job because of your medical restrictions, you may need vocational rehabilitation to train you for a new career. The FAQs below will explain how Michigan workers’ comp benefits can cover vocational rehabilitation, which includes tuition reimbursement or job training.
For help from a workers comp lawyer today, call us (844) 345-0952. Or you can fill out our consultation form. The call and the advice are free.
What workers compensation benefits am I entitled to in Michigan?
In Michigan, if you are injured in the course and scope of your employment, you are entitled to specific workers’ comp benefits, including wage loss, medical treatment and vocational rehabilitation.
Workers comp is a compromise between employee and employer interests. That means you don’t have to prove negligence to get compensation, but you are limited in what benefits you can receive.
Pain and suffering is not available under Michigan workers compensation. This might seem unfair, but the amount of benefits paid under Michigan workers comp can be substantial.
What is vocational rehabilitation through workers’ compensation in Michigan?
In Michigan, vocational rehabilitation is a workers’ compensation benefit that all injured employees are entitled to if they are injured and can’t return to work. It includes schooling (tuition reimbursement) or training to prepare you for another job if you find yourself incapable of doing your past work.
Your employer may be required to provide voc rehab to help you get back to gainful employment.
Sometimes all that is needed is a good voc rehab counselor to help with a resume and job search activities.
Does workers’ comp pay for vocational rehabilitation in Michigan?
In Michigan, workers’ comp will pay for vocational rehabilitation for up to two years.
What is a vocational rehabilitation counselor?
A vocational rehabilitation counselor is a professional who helps individuals with work-related disabilities get back to gainful employment.
What if I’m given permanent work restrictions?
A work injury can be a life changing event when it results in permanent work restrictions. If you have been doing heavy work your entire life, the transition to light or sedentary work can be extremely difficult.
It can also pay less money.
You should understand that if you’re given permanent work restrictions, this does not mean that you are disabled for life. In Michigan, workers’ comp vocational rehabilitation benefits are available to help you get back to gainful employment. Many of our clients use voc rehab to pay for school or to get certified for other careers.
Can I receive Michigan workers’ comp wage loss benefits while I’m pursuing vocational rehabilitation?
In Michigan, you are entitled to workers’ comp wage loss benefits under while you are pursuing vocational rehabilitation. This helps pays the bills and reduces stress while you get retrained.
Your employer and its workers compensation insurance company have a major incentive to help you with retraining and job placement. If you can find other work, then you do not get wage loss benefits. If you find a lesser paying job, the difference must be paid by workers compensation.
What if my employer stops my lost wages while I’m pursuing voc rehab?
Unfortunately, some employers and insurance companies use voc rehab to reduce or stop wage loss benefits — instead of trying to help you find other work. You may want to go to school and start a new career. But the insurance company may want you to simply accept any job so that wage loss benefits can be stopped.
While the true purpose of a vocational counselor is to help you find suitable employment after an at-work injury, vocational counselors are sometimes hired by insurance companies for the sole purpose of cutting your wage loss benefits. A bad vocational counselor can make your situation worse by ignoring work restrictions and by suggesting demeaning jobs. If it is found that you did not cooperate with a vocational counselor, you could lose entitlement to wage loss benefits. This is completely unfair and you should not be treated like this.
You might also be sent to a vocational counselor for a “transferable skills analysis.” This is based upon a recent Supreme Court case called Stokes v. Chrysler. You may find that your wage loss benefits have been cut based upon a job that does not actually exist. This is not vocational rehabilitation and you should call an experienced Michigan workers’ comp lawyer immediately if this happens.
If your vocational counselor is giving you a hard time, it’s best to consult with an experienced work comp lawyer. Call us at (844) 345-0952, and we can protect you when your wage loss benefits are put in jeopardy.
Will returning to work help me?
We find that our clients have much better outcomes if they can return to gainful activity after an injury at work. This is because workers’ compensation will never pay the equivalent to wages earned over a lifetime.
It has been our experience that a successful return to work helps reduce stress and restores a normal life.
Have questions about vocational rehabilitation through Michigan workers’ comp?
If you were injured while on the job in Michigan and have questions about workers’ comp vocational rehabilitation benefits, call now or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Our attorneys are 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 work injury 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.