Florida Workers’ Compensation: Obtaining Reemployment Services
If you have what Florida Workers Compensation law refers to as a “compensable injury” that occurred on or after October 1, 1989, you may be eligible to obtain reemployment services. Candidates for this program must have a “work-related injury or illness [that] prevents them from returning to their usual line of work.” Qualifying applicants can work with the Florida Division of Worker’s Compensation to receive services to help you find a new job. Our Fort Lauderdale worker’s compensation attorney outlines the program below. You can also contact us to let us help you apply for the program.
Types of Reemployment Services Available in Florida
- Skills testing. This will help you recognize your strongest talents and abilities – apart from those which once enabled you to land a different job (that you’re no longer able to perform due to your injuries);
- Vocational counseling. Your assigned caseworker can review all of your skills test results with you to help you decide which new jobs you’re interested in — which might require added training;
- Guidance related to job-hunting skills. You can obtain help with creating a new resume or learning how to present yourself during job interviews. You can also ask for tips on negotiating for various job benefits once a position has been offered to you;
- Help locating specific types of jobs. A state employee can often help you gain access to online and other state and private job listings;
- All reasonable training and education required for landing a new job. Once you and your counselor have determined which positions you should apply for, you may be eligible to take a variety of different types of training classes.
Please bear in mind that if the workers’ compensation insurance agent you’ve been interacting with fails to offer you reemployment services, your South Florida workers’ compensation attorney can help you obtain them. This may involve speaking directly to the insurance company on your behalf or contacting the Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office within the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Additional Requirements for Receiving Reemployment Services
In addition to the qualifications already referenced in the first paragraph of this article, injured workers must also:
- Be legally eligible to work in the United States;
- Request a formal “screening” from workers’ compensation to determine if they are fully eligible to participate in this program;
- Make this request for a screening “within one year (365 days) of the worker’s last receipt of indemnity (lost wage) benefits or medical treatment relating to the injury.”
You should speak with your South Florida workers compensation attorney about the best time to request these benefits.
If you’ve suffered a serious worker’s compensation injury, contact the Maus Law Firm to learn more about your rights. The Maus Law Firm handles accident and injury claims throughout Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach and Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, Lee, Broward and Palm Beach counties. You’ll need the help of an experienced South Florida worker’s compensation attorney on your side to recover compensation benefits and help adjust to life after your workplace accident. Contact us today!