Workplace accidents and injuries can take you away from your job for days, weeks, months or even years, depending upon their severity. In many cases, an injured worker may qualify for workers’ compensation disability benefits. However, the most common goal shared by injured workers involves returning to the workforce in some capacity.
In Nebraska and other states, it is possible for severely injured employees to contribute to the workforce even in the face of catastrophic injuries. Vocational rehabilitation services are among the many benefits that come with workers’ compensation. When work injuries result in permanent physical limitations, victims may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under the state’s workers’ compensation law. Some of these services may include the following.
- Assistance searching for jobs
- Coverage for the costs of retraining, education and tuition
- Testing and analysis of your transferable skills
- Ergonomics assessments
- On-the-job training
- Help to improve your job interview skills
- Wage assessment evaluations
- Assistance with medical case management
If you cannot return to your previous job, vocational rehabilitation helps you transition to new employment opportunities at no cost to you. This empowers you to continue providing for your family. Perhaps more importantly, continuing to work enhances your feelings of self-worth as well.
As you can see, there is much more to workers’ compensation than simply paying your medical costs and replacing lost wages. Unfortunately, many workers have no idea how deep the well of workers’ comp benefits runs.
A great way to discover these services is to take your case to an attorney, especially if your work injuries have left you with disabilities. Together, you can explore the benefits at your disposal and seek to ensure that your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider gives you access to the benefits you deserve.