Retraining Through Workers’ Compensation When You Cannot Return to your Prior Job
The State of Florida offers a program within the Department of Financial Services Division of Workers’ Compensation that provides injured workers with the necessary reemployment services to help them return to suitable gainful employment.
If you have been injured on the job, you can contact the Division online to apply for services. Once you set up an account, you will be contacted regarding orientation. In some cases, they will provide vocational testing and labor market information.
The State provides a general orientation and program overview for injured Workers interested in receiving reemployment services. Injured workers may be provided reemployment services such as:
- Employability skills training
- Vocational counseling
- Selective job placement assistance
- Job seeking skills training
- Job analysis
- Job modification
- Job market information
- Referrals to other job placement agencies
What Happens in Vocational Rehabilitation?
After orientation, the State conducts a screening for each eligible applicant to determine whether he or she is entitled to a vocational evaluation or job placement services. The screening process consists of:
- Review of all medical and vocational documentation to determine if the injured worker can perform duties of the pre-injury occupation
- An interview with the injured employee
Services provided during the screening process may include testing, medical records review, counseling and early job placement assistance. If you have a permanent restriction as a result of your work injury, you may be eligible for retraining and education.
Authorized services vary depending on the needs of the individual. After an evaluation is completed, the State will determine if the injured worker is eligible for training and education. If the State recommends training or education, it will pay for the necessary books, tools, uniforms and authorized supplies.
Direct job placement services may also include employability skills training, job seeking skills training, job market information or referrals to other job placement agencies.
Gainesville Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help Injured Workers Obtain Pay While Retraining
The State of Florida provides services at no cost to eligible persons. If you are accepted to the program and your workers’ compensation case is still open the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC can work to get workers’ compensation to pay for continued disability benefits while you are in the program.
Throughout North Florida, the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC offers decisive legal representation in workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, and personal injury. You pay no legal fees unless we win benefits for you.
With offices in Gainesville, Florida, we are here to serve you. We offer evening and weekend appointments if necessary. Contact us online or at 352-264-1910 for a consultation.
