up date-vocational rehabilitation meetings

[FLOWER1968]

I got a letter today and it says that I have been referred to this office for a vocational assessment by a WC Specialist. I'm confused. The letter says that I have not been referred to this office for vocational rehabilitation or alternate job placement assistance,but simply an evaluation of my qualifications, training and background, and the ability to return to the regional labor market. I read all the posts from before about VR but I'm still confused. I called my attorney's office to schedule an appointment but no luck. Is this voc assessment something that I have do first before they force me to find a job? Does anybody know what to expect until I reach my attorney? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[fencer11]

I just went through this last week. They will go over your past employment with you, ask about your restrictions ( if you have any) and decide if you are a candidate for re-training for a new career. In my case, I have been a truck driver for 20+ years and now have a 10 pound lifting restriction ( no more truck driving) So I was approved for re-training that the IC must provide.The Voc-Rehab person is not the enemy, Their job is to get you back into the workplace keeping within your restrictions.If you are approved, then you, the IC and Voc-Rehab person all must agree as to what you will re-train for. That way you can't say you want to be a rocket scientist and the IC can't say you will be a Wal-Mart greeter.Good Luck.

[FLOWER1968]

Hi Fencer 11, thanks for your replies . I do have restrictions.
1.No over chest level work.
2.No repetitive or prolonged cervical spine extension.
3.No repetitive or forceful pushing or pulling.
4.No lifting greater than 10 pounds.
5.Limited standing and walking.
6.No kneeling,crawling,squatting,or climbing.
I just hope that we can make some mutual agreement.I'm just very scared not to finde a job because of this situation in country. Thanks one more time and Good Luck to you too!

[Lilly]

They are simply scoping you out to see if you are a candidate for retraining, or the voc rehab process. One way or another...unless you are labeled as permanently disabled by WC....you'll most likely have to go through the VR process....Like Bad Boy once told me....they aren't going to pay you for sitting home doing nothing....they want you to try to find a suitable job, that will work within your restrictions...the economy is bad....I don't know about your area, but mine is awful....there are more unemployed, than there are working people in my area. I do believe they can get you to search for work within a 50 mile radius....you can do this by phone (I went through the phone book /yellow pages 3 times) and cold call searching for employment...or send resumes through the mail, or on my good days door to door. VR is not always a bad thing...they will help you write a resume, scope out your weaknesses & skills by testing ect. Even though you may be forced to look for work...use common sense...who's going to actually hire you with all those restrictions? But at least you need to cooporate and give it your best shot, for if you refuse the benefits will cease immediately!
Good luck, Lilly

[mzgold]

I went through vc/reb and all they wanted to do was get me some kind of job, never was offered any type of retraining! please be very careful with this. after my first meeting i did the same thing as you did background, etc.. and by the end of my meeting all i got was benefits cut off! because i could earn 90% of my pre injury wages. The jobs they offered (which i knew i could not do) i applied for them but never recieved any response, but that does not matter long as it looks like you can do some type of work that is all they want. Remember when you get letter from vc/reb about going to talk to your dr. be sure and go even if they tell you its not mandotary for you to go, because when i did not go to the meeting with my dr. the next letter i got was benefits cut off! don't trust w/c...

[FLOWER1968]

Lilly Wrote:They are simply scoping you out to see if you are a candidate for retraining, or the voc rehab process. One way or another...unless you are labeled as permanently disabled by WC....you'll most likely have to go through the VR process....Like Bad Boy once told me....they aren't going to pay you for sitting home doing nothing....they want you to try to find a suitable job, that will work within your restrictions...the economy is bad....I don't know about your area, but mine is awful....there are more unemployed, than there are working people in my area. I do believe they can get you to search for work within a 50 mile radius....you can do this by phone (I went through the phone book /yellow pages 3 times) and cold call searching for employment...or send resumes through the mail, or on my good days door to door. VR is not always a bad thing...they will help you write a resume, scope out your weaknesses & skills by testing ect. Even though you may be forced to look for work...use common

...who's going to actually hire you with all those restrictions? But at least you need to cooporate and give it your best shot, for if you refuse the benefits will cease immediately!
Good luck, Lilly
[/quote]

Hi Lilly, thanks for your replies. I'm lebeled as permanently disabled by my DR.,but not by W/C, and I know that doesn't count that much. It is always nice to hear that VR is not bad thing. I know you went through VR process and it wasn't pleasant way.I admire you strength and suport for people like my self. If I'm not wrong we are from the same state, and my area is perhaps bad as yours too.Thanks for your good advice.

[FLOWER1968]

mzgold Wrote:I went through vc/reb and all they wanted to do was get me some kind of job, never was offered any type of retraining! please be very careful with this. after my first meeting i did the same thing as you did background, etc.. and by the end of my meeting all i got was benefits cut off! because i could earn 90% of my pre injury wages. The jobs they offered (which i knew i could not do) i applied for them but never recieved any response, but that does not matter long as it looks like you can do some type of work that is all they want. Remember when you get letter from vc/reb about going to talk to your dr. be sure and go even if they tell you its not mandotary for you to go, because when i did not go to the meeting with my dr. the next letter i got was benefits cut off! don't trust w/c...

Hi Mzgold, what's happend if they offer me a job , I applied and never got response, does that mean that I'm going to be with VR as long as I finde me some kinde of work? You mention Dr. meeting, way? Thank you very much for your response.

[fencer11]

Flower, Did your Dr. label you Permanently Partially Disabled or Permanently Totally Disabled? I was labeled Perm Partial, therefore I am able to do some type of work. If you are labeled Perm. Totally Disabled, that means you probably will not be able to do any type of work. My Voc-Rehab person went by my treating Dr. report and not WC Dr., Although in my case my Dr., The WC Dr., and the IME all reported basicly the same. I feel fortunate to have 3 Doctors all say the same about my injury and restrictions.

[FLOWER1968]

fencer11 Wrote:Flower, Did your Dr. label you Permanently Partially Disabled or Permanently Totally Disabled? I was labeled Perm Partial, therefore I am able to do some type of work. If you are labeled Perm. Totally Disabled, that means you probably will not be able to do any type of work. My Voc-Rehab person went by my treating Dr. report and not WC Dr., Although in my case my Dr., The WC Dr., and the IME all reported basicly the same. I feel fortunate to have 3 Doctors all say the same about my injury and restrictions.

Fencer11, I'v been told that I belonge to (member of Class 1) wich means "Totally Disabled" or ''Total Disability". You are fortunate to have 3 Doctors with same agreement. W/C Dr., reported that is nothing wrong with me,while IME Dr. confirmed everything that my Dr. say is true, only it is not work-releated.

[fencer11]

WOW, There is a BIG difference between nothing wrong and all of the restrictions you posted. I don't know what state you are in but I believe that the judge had to agree my injury was work related before I saw the Voc-Rehab person. Are you getting any benefits from WC? Have they paid any medical bills, Are you getting checks? If you are totally disabled, I don't think you would be approved for Voc-Rehab, as Totally Disabled means you can't work.