Workers' compensation vocational engagements focus on return-to-work planning, job analysis, and, where applicable, permanent partial or total disability analysis within the state's statutory framework.
Checklist
Identify the jurisdiction's workers' compensation statute and process
Obtain treating physician restrictions and any FCE
Perform job analysis of pre-injury position
Identify alternative work within restrictions
Consider retraining or vocational rehabilitation if return to prior occupation is not feasible
Questions to ask the expert
What experience do you have with this state's workers' compensation vocational rules?
Do you coordinate with the insurer's nurse case manager?
How do you document job search efforts for mitigation purposes?
Timeline
30-45 days for most workers' compensation vocational engagements.
Required documents
Claim file and wage statements
Treating physician records and restrictions
FCE if performed
Pre-injury job description
Common pitfalls
Ignoring state-specific statutory procedure
Overlooking the claimant's transferable skills
Insufficient documentation of the labor market survey