Workers’ Compensation In Maryland: Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits For Work-Related Injuries

Work-related injuries can have devastating impacts on your health. Workers’ compensation benefits cover the cost of your medical care and offset lost income while you recover. However, even with the appropriate treatment, you may be unable to return to your former occupation. Our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains vocational rehabilitation benefits that are available, whether you are a candidate, and ways in which these benefits can help you.

Am I A Candidate For Maryland Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits?

 On-the-job accidents and injuries in Maryland pose significant risks to workers. The state Department of Labor reports that these claim the lives of nearly 100 victims each year while leaving thousands of others with potentially devastating injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits act as a form of insurance in this situation.

Workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland can provide coverage of medical care related to your injuries, reimbursement for lost income due to short and long-term disabilities, and funeral costs and other benefits for surviving family members when fatal accidents happen. Benefits also cover vocational rehabilitation in the event your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from returning to your prior job. Wondering whether you might be a candidate? Qualifications include:

• Your employer provides workers’ compensation benefits: Full, part-time, and seasonal workers are all covered, but independent contractors generally are not.
• You suffer work-related injuries: Your injuries must have happened on the job or during the course of your employment.
• You have an official diagnosis from your doctor: This includes their prognosis for recovery and the results of any testing or treatment received.
• You have been approved for Maryland workers’ compensation benefits: If you are denied benefits, our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can assist in filing an appeal.
• You have completed all treatment and have been deemed by a doctor to have reached maximum medical improvement.
• You have permanent medical restrictions from your doctor that your employer is unable to accommodate.

How Can Maryland Workers’ Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation Help Me? 

If you suffer injuries that allow you to perform certain types of tasks but are severe enough to prevent you from working in your prior occupation, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) recommends discussing this option with your attorney. Ways in which these benefits can help you include:

• Conducts testing to assess your skills and abilities;
• Provides vocational counseling to determine the types of jobs that may be available to you;
• Can offers training to obtain the education and skills needed to obtain work in a new field at wages comparable to your prior job in some scenarios;
• Provides counseling and practical support throughout the job hunt, including help with resumes and completing applications;
• Enables you to continue receiving wage replacement benefits as you search for new employment.

Schedule A Consultation With Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you suffer on-the-job injuries that prevent you from working in your prior occupation, vocational rehabilitation benefits available through the workers’ compensation program in Maryland can help you start a new career. To discuss whether you are a candidate, contact Berman, Sobin, Gross LLP. Schedule a consultation with our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney today.

Sources:

labor.maryland.gov/labor/research/research2019.shtml

wcc.state.md.us/Gen_Info/WCC_Benefits.html

wcc.state.md.us/Voc_Rehab/FAQ_VocRehab.html