Vocational Rehabilitation and Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Colorado

Colorado does not require employers and their insurers to offer vocational rehabilitation as part of workers' compensation benefits. Many injured workers who come to Flaxman Law Group for help find themselves wondering what they will do if they’re too injured to return to their previous role. If you’re injured at work, we invite you to contact our Denver offices servicing the entire state of Colorado at 970-999-0530 for a free accident consultation with a Colorado workers’ compensation lawyer.

Vocational rehabilitation is a workers’ compensation benefit designed to assist injured workers in returning to suitable employment or gaining new skills to re-enter the workforce after a workplace injury or illness. The goal of vocational rehabilitation is to help injured workers achieve a successful and sustainable return to work, considering their physical limitations and work-related skills.

In Colorado, injured workers who are eligible for workers' compensation benefits are not legally required to have access to vocational rehabilitation services, but an employer may choose to offer this benefit voluntarily.

Where vocational rehabilitation services are available, they may include the following services.

• Vocational Assessment: An evaluation of the injured worker's skills, work history, and limitations to determine their ability to perform various job tasks.
• Job Placement Services: Assistance in finding suitable employment opportunities that align with the injured worker's capabilities and limitations.
• Skills Training: Training programs to acquire new skills or update existing ones to enhance the injured worker's job prospects.
• Resume Writing and Interview Coaching: Support in preparing a compelling resume and improving interview skills to increase the chances of successful job placement.
• Job Coaching and Accommodations: Ongoing support and accommodation recommendations for the injured worker in their new work environment.

If you can’t return to your previous job because of a permanent injury, it’s clear that the above benefits would be useful in helping you find another position that pays the bills. So, what happens if you don’t have access to these services after an injury at work?

If you’ve been injured while performing work duties in Colorado, state workers’ compensation laws allow you to gain access to workers’ compensation benefits in most cases. Even if your employer does not offer vocational rehabilitation, you may still be eligible for medical benefits, wage loss replacement, and disability benefits that can help you cover your costs while you’re injured.

A permanent injury that leaves you unable to return to your job is life changing. In this situation, it can be valuable to speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer in your Colorado community. A local, experienced attorney can tell you what options you may have to protect your financial future. He or she can explain what workers’ compensation benefits you may qualify for and may be able to work to maximize your benefits.

If you need assistance with your workers' compensation claim, don't hesitate to contact Flaxman Law Group. Our family law firm is here to work on behalf of injured workers just like you. If you’re injured, call 970-999-0530 for a free, no obligation case consultation with a Colorado workers’ compensation lawyer. Don’t just worry about your future; take steps now to protect it with a free accident consultation.