While workers' compensation insurance will provide injured workers with medical treatment and compensation for lost wages, the goal of the program is to help you return to the workforce, if possible. According to Carey & Hamner, P.C., one of Dothan, AL’s most respected legal teams, each state approaches rehabilitation and retraining differently, but most provide some avenue to help workers who can no longer work in their previous jobs find gainful employment.

In the state of Alabama, workers who have suffered a permanent disability are entitled to lifetime benefits, which may be adjusted by the outcome of their vocational rehabilitation efforts. The employer may elect to send the injured worker to a vocational rehabilitation program, provided the employee's treating physician agrees they are a candidate for retraining.

An employee can also request retraining if both their doctor and a vocational rehabilitation specialist agree in writing that they're recovered enough to work in some capacity. In either case, the costs of training are paid by employers, with additional funds for travel and lodging if the worker needs to travel to a facility far away from home.

Because workers' compensation laws vary sharply from state to state, the benefits afforded to workers in other areas may be dramatically different. California, for example, provides only a limited amount of funds for worker rehabilitation, while states like Pennsylvania compensate accident victims based on their loss of earning power. A skilled workers' compensation attorney will help guide you through the process, ensuring you get all of the benefits you're entitled to.

Carey & Hamner, P.C. offers each of their clients the benefit of in-depth expertise and individualized attention from a highly respected legal professional. If you've suffered a work-related injury in the Dothan, Enterprise, or Ozark areas, visit their website or call (855) 435-4797 to discuss your workers' compensation claim with a member of their team.