Vocational Rehabilitation in Virginia Workers' Comp Cases
Vocational rehabilitation plays a large role in injury cases involving workers' compensation in the process of recovering from a serious on-the-job injury. Disputes that arise during the vocational rehabilitation phase of the workers' compensation can quickly spin out of control — resulting in complete loss of your workers' comp benefits and possibly loss of your job.
From my Richmond-based law office, I represent workers' compensation claimants throughout Virginia. As a veteran workers' compensation attorney, I am intimately familiar with almost all the danger signs in workers' compensation cases. More importantly, I have enjoyed significant success steering my clients around these dangers and protecting their benefits and their jobs.
Contact the Law Offices of Jerry Lutkenhaus to schedule a free initial consultation — no matter what stage of the workers' comp process you are in.
The Role of Vocational Rehabilitation in Workers' Compensation Cases
Vocational rehabilitation specialists get involved in workers' compensation cases in situations where your doctor releases you for light-duty employment. The workers' compensation insurance company will hire a vocational rehabilitation specialist (VRS) whose job is to help you find a light-duty job that fits your doctor's restrictions.
The first step in this process is a vocational rehabilitation interview. This interview is not a medical evaluation. Rather, it is a meeting at which you and the VRS discuss your doctor's restrictions and the types of employment that may be available.
Light-Duty Jobs With Lower Wages: If your light-duty position pays a lower wage, you will continue to receive workers' compensation benefits to make up most of the difference between your pre-injury wage and your current pay.
Cooperation With the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist
I stay involved with my workers' compensation clients all the way through the return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation stages to protect their benefits and give information about their rights and responsibilities. I schedule the VRS interview to take place in my office, and I meet with my client beforehand to give advice related to his or her specific circumstances.
It is critically important to cooperate with the vocational rehabilitation specialist. Failure to attend required meetings with the VRS or job interviews can result in termination of workers' compensation benefits. By remaining in the communication loop between the injured worker, the VRS and the insurance company, I am best able to help my clients keep their workers' comp benefits and find a suitable light-duty job.
Contact the Law Offices of Jerry Lutkenhaus
I am a veteran workers' compensation lawyer who has devoted my career to helping injured workers get the benefits they deserve. I have received numerous accolades during my career, but I am more proud of my record of success on behalf of my clients.
Initial consultations are always free of charge. In most workers' compensation cases, I do not charge any attorneys' fees until after the successful conclusion of your case.
To make an appointment, call toll free at 800-256-8862 or send an e-mail.
