Medical Rehabilitation and Vocational Rehabilitation

When a worker sustains job-related injuries, he will be entitled to various benefits according to Illinois workers compensation laws, one of these being medical benefits for his physical recovery. Specifically, employers and/or employers’ insurance companies will be responsible for compensating injured workers for their medical bills and ongoing treatment costs until doctors have determined that the injured worker has reached is maximum medical improvement. Examples of the medical rehabilitation services that can be covered by workers compensation benefits include regular doctors’ visits, physical therapy, x-rays and radiology services, surgery, and the costs of prescription medications and any necessary medical equipment (like wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.).

At this point, if an employee is unable to return to work his former job because, for example, he sustained a permanent partial disability that impairs some of his body or cognizant function, employers and/or employers’ insurance companies will also likely be responsible for providing injured workers with vocational rehabilitation, which is intended to provide injured workers with the necessary training to obtain new skills that will help them secure another job in a different industry.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The specific types of vocational rehabilitation services that may be offered to an injured worker can depend on a variety of factors; however, some of the most common vocational rehabilitation services will likely include:

• Skill assessment training
• Specific industry training
• Assistance enrolling in (and paying for) education courses associated with new job training
• Help compiling résumés and/or completing job applications
• Interview preparation assistance
• Assistance searching for jobs
• Job counseling

Typically, once vocational training has been offered to an injured worker, the only thing these workers have to do is accept and follow through with the training. While any injured worker has the legal right to refuse such vocational rehabilitation services, a refusal can result in the injured worker’s benefits being severely cut, if not denied altogether (as the law assumes that workers should do what it takes in terms of retraining to try to make themselves employable again).

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their workplace injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained any type of injury while working, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.