What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?
Vocational rehabilitation benefits, including educational retraining, are available to help injured workers in Minnesota return to work after an injury. You can request a vocational rehabilitation consultation at any time. You may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if any of the following apply to situation:
- You are unable to return to the regular job you had on the date of injury
- Your employer is unable to offer you work within your restrictions
- You are working at a wage loss
Who Provides Vocational Rehabilitation?
Vocational rehabilitation services are typically provided by a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC). A QRC is a professional who works with individuals who have suffered from work-related injuries or illnesses and helps them to regain their independence and ability to perform everyday tasks.
- They work closely with medical professionals, lawyers, and insurers to assist in managing claims and coordinating rehabilitation programs.
- They are knowledgeable in a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal injuries to brain injuries.
- Their goal is to help clients achieve the best possible outcome in terms of recovery and quality of life.
What Do QRCs Do?
The QRC will work with you, your employer, and insurer to plan the medical treatment that you need and return to a job within your restrictions. They will also assist with coordinating vocational testing and job placement services if that becomes necessary.
In some cases, your rehabilitation plan may include retraining.
- Retraining is a formal course of study through an educational institution to assist an injured workers’ return to suitable gainful employment.
- Retraining claims are complex and expand upon the wage loss available in non-retraining cases.
Can I Choose My QRC?
You have a right to choose your own QRC and do not need to accept the QRC assigned by the insurance company. However, if you have already had a consultation with a QRC assigned by the insurance company, you have 60 days after the rehabilitation plan is filed with the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to request a different QRC. You may be entitled to change QRCs at other times as well.
As experienced attorneys, we strongly recommend that you choose your own QRC. If you require a referral, please contact us.
