Celebrating 100 Years of Comp!
By Abby Torres | September 7, 2011
It was great seeing everyone at the 2011 WCCP Conference last month! We enjoyed celebrating 100 years of Workers’ Compensation among the best in the industry!
Right to Left: Mary Bennett, Debra Livingston, Corie Wider
______________________________________
ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today.
Topics: ReEmployAbility | Comments Off
There’s a new sheriff in town: 3 things carriers should know about the Florida Statute Changes effective 7/1/2011.
By Frances Ford | June 28, 2011
Confusion continues for carriers on the new statute wording that changed the game for re-employment services in Florida. Some carriers discontinued filing forms when notified the Bureau of Re-employment and Rehabilitation (BRRS) was stripped of its regulatory powers and lost 2/3’s of its funding.
But, non-compliance could be costly. Willfully ignoring a statutory requirement could cost carriers up to 100k in penalties on audit.
Here are three things carriers should review very carefully:
- Form Filing Compliance Remains: The Re-employment Status Reports (DWC-22) are still required but they don’t go to the state. Now they must be sent to the claimant.
- New Sheriff with Penalty Power: Regulatory powers were transferred to Department of Financial Services (DFS) and until new rules are written to enforce the 7/1/2011 changes, carriers are wise to keep all compliance measures in place. This includes the timely payment rules for DWC-21’s. The electronic filing of DWC-21 to Department of Education is over but DFS will take over audit and enforcement duties. Best not to take chances.
- Retraining Budget Cuts Means New Game Plan For Adjusters: The BRRS is in turmoil and carriers requesting state retraining services should anticipate denials. The bureau was inefficient and ineffective before and they won’t improve with less money. Obtaining a re-employment assessment first that outlines re-employment or training objectives is money well spent. Seeking state re-training assistance without one is unwise.
______________________________________
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today. Topics: ReEmployAbility | Comments Off
ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
Florida Permanent Total Disability Decision substantiates claimant’s reemployment efforts remain a factor in pre-2003 law cases.
By Frances Ford | June 22, 2011
In a ruling dated June 20, 2011, claimant Frances Williamson, a 62 year old licensed practical nurse (LPN) who was injured on 5/23/2001 was denied permanent total disability benefits for voluntarily limiting her income. Having received SSDI for 8 years Ms Williamson testified she was completely computer literate when questioned about her vocational skills. However, when the carrier provided vocational services to assist in her employment search, Ms Williamson told ReEmployAbility’s vocational counselor she did not have computer skills and did not apply for jobs on-line as instructed. Instead Ms Williamson sent her resume by regular mail to the hiring employers provided by ReEmployAbility. The JCC ruling states that when ReEmployAbility’s vocational expert contacted one of the employers, they indicated Ms Williamson’s resume did not contain a phone number or e-mail address and provided personal information including her age and healthcare restrictions.
In reaching her decision Judge Beck indicated the “employer/carrier (E/C) has established defenses that claimant retains a substantial earning capacity; that she has failed to test her employability or exhaust all rehabilitative avenues; and that she is voluntarily limiting her income.” (Read final order of Williamson v Manatee Rural Health)
ReEmployAbility provides the right tools for today’s job market to help injured workers – providing online job application assistance. ReEmployAbility creates professional e-mail accounts for injured workers to receive electronic job notifications and employment application tracking by a vocational professional. To learn more, contact us at 866-663-9880 or visit www.REAJobSource.com.
______________________________________
Learn more about Transition to work programs in the US today. Topics: ReEmployAbility | Comments Off
ReEmployAbility is a premier provider of vocational services and transitional employment programs. When faced with the challenges of return-to-work, there’s only one name you need to remember – ReEmployAbility. For more information, call (866) 663-9880.
