Workers' Compensation

Responsible experts: Matthew R. Putts, Ph.D. (Chief of Vocational Services); Christopher Skerritt, M.Ed., MBA (Chief of Economic Services)

Workers' compensation matters involve work-related injury or illness with vocational rehabilitation, return-to-work analysis, and earning capacity components governed by state-specific statutes.

Vocational impact

Vocational analysis in workers' compensation focuses on return-to-work planning, job analysis of the pre-injury position, identification of alternative work within medical restrictions, and when applicable retraining or vocational rehabilitation services.

Economic exposure

Economic exposure varies by jurisdiction and commonly includes temporary total disability, permanent partial or total disability, vocational rehabilitation services, and in some cases lump-sum settlements calculated against earning capacity.

Relevant credentials

Workers' Compensation services by state

Attorney guides for workers' compensation cases

Stage-by-stage guidance on working with vocational, economic, and life care experts in workers' compensation litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does workers' compensation vocational rehabilitation differ from civil vocational evaluation?

Workers' compensation rehabilitation is typically forward-looking and service-oriented, aimed at returning the worker to suitable employment. Civil vocational evaluation is typically evaluative, establishing earning capacity and employability for litigation purposes.

What is a job analysis in workers' compensation?

A job analysis documents the physical, cognitive, and environmental demands of the pre-injury position so that medical restrictions can be mapped to specific job requirements and modifications or alternative placement considered.

Are permanent partial disability ratings the same as earning capacity opinions?

No. PPD ratings are impairment-based and typically derive from the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Earning capacity opinions are vocational and labor-market-based.

References

  1. U.S. DOL Office of Workers' Compensation ProgramsGovernment
  2. AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent ImpairmentOrganization
  3. International Association of Rehabilitation ProfessionalsOrganization

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