In Louisiana workers compensation, the vocational rehabilitation counselor will typically meet with the employee’s physician. In fact, Louisiana law specifically allows the vocational rehabilitation counselor to make personal contact with the treating physician, without the necessity of a signed medical authorization from the employee.
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What are the benefits of vocational rehab?
Aug 15, 2018 · Vocational Rehabilitation, the flagship program of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, is a one-stop career development program that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of services designed to provide them with the skills, resources, attitudes, and expectations needed to compete in the interview process, get the job, keep the job, and develop a lifetime …
What are vocational rehab benefits?
Aug 13, 2020 · How Vocational Rehabilitation Is Supposed to Work in Louisiana Workers Compensation Louisiana workers compensation law states that “the goal of rehabilitation services is to return a worker with a disability to work, with a minimum of retraining, as soon as possible after an injury occurs.”
What does vocational rehabilitation do?
Aug 17, 2020 · An employee injured on the job in Louisiana is entitled to vocational rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation services (also known as “vocational rehab,” or simply “voc rehab”) refer to workers compensation benefits that assist an injured worker in finding a new job or occupation if he or she cannot return to his or her previous occupation due to the work …
What is voc rehab?
Dec 28, 2021 · Vocational Rehab Defined Vocational rehabilitation, sometimes called rehab, is the process of retraining an employee after a work injury. This may involve helping the worker learn how to do their old job with new accommodations, or it may be that the injured employee needs to learn an entirely different trade.
How Vocational Rehabilitation Is Supposed to Work in Louisiana Workers Compensation
Louisiana workers compensation law states that “the goal of rehabilitation services is to return a worker with a disability to work, with a minimum of retraining, as soon as possible after an injury occurs.”
Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) Counselors in Louisiana Workers Compensation
In Louisiana, the workers compensation insurance company will typically appoint a vocational rehabilitation counselor to handle the vocational rehabilitation process.
Labor Market Surveys
The workers compensation insurance company may also instruct its chosen vocational rehabilitation counselor to conduct a Labor Market Survey, in order to determine post-injury wage-earning capacity and thereby reduce or terminate the employee’s indemnity (or lost wages) benefits.
What Is Vocational Rehabilitation in Louisiana Workers Compensation?
An employee injured on the job in Louisiana is entitled to vocational rehabilitation services.
HOW VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION WORKS IN LOUISIANA WORKERS COMPENSATION
Typically, the vocational rehabilitation process begins after the injured employee’s treating physician releases the employee to return to work with restrictions.
HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF LOST WAGE BENEFITS IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION IN LOUISIANA WORKERS COMPENSATION
To avoid the vocational rehabilitation trap, an injured employee should hire an experienced Louisiana workers compensation attorney to handle his or her entire workers compensation claim.
THE LOUISIANA STATUTE FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION IN LOUISIANA WORKERS COMPENSATION
The primary Louisiana statute for vocational rehabilitation is La. R.S. 23:1226, which reads as follows:#N#§1226. Rehabilitation of injured employees#N#A.
Who Chooses and Pays for The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor?
The workers compensation insurance company is responsible for the selection of a vocational rehabilitation counselor, as well as payment for the vocational rehabilitation counselor.
WHEN ARE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES DUE?
Vocational rehabilitation services are due whenever the injured employee is unable to return to work at a wage rate equal to his or her prior Average Weekly Wage with his or her current capabilities and restrictions.
IS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION REQUIRED?
An injured employee is required to participate in vocational rehabilitation in Louisiana workers compensation if the insurance company requires it.
WHAT EXACTS CONSTITUTES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION?
Vocational rehabilitation services in Louisiana workers compensation must be more than just a Labor Market Survey.
WHAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN VOCATIONAL REHAB?
Louisiana courts generally find that vocational rehabilitation involves the following requirements and proper procedures:
HOW DOES AN INSURANCE COMPANY PROVE JOB AVAILABILITY?
If the workers compensation insurance company can show that the employee can return to employment at actual jobs that are actually available, the insurance company can legally reduce or terminate the employee’s indemnity (or lost wages) benefits.
IS TRAVEL MILEAGE TO AND FROM VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION REIMBURSED?
In Louisiana workers compensation, an injured employee is entitled to be compensated for the cost of traveling to and from any vocational rehabilitation appointments or meetings.
What is Functional Capacity Evaluation?
Built into all Functional Capacity Evaluations are exercises and tests that are specifically included for the purpose of measuring whether the injured employee is giving a sincere effort, otherwise known as Validity Testing.
What is labor market survey?
The Labor Market Survey process begins with the insurance company’s vocational rehabilitation counselor scheduling a meeting with the injured employee, in which the vocational rehabilitation counselor will assist with preparing a resumé and applying for jobs online.
