Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation refers to the training necessary to enable an individual to return to work following an injury.  It may include training to enable the individual to return to his or her previous job, or retraining in an entirely new field more suited to a person's differing abilities following a severe injury.  With spinal cord injuries in particular, a long and intense period may be required for an individual to re-learn basic life skills, and to cope and strategize new ways to accomplish old tasks

An entire rehabilitation team, led by a psychiatrist and including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers, and perhaps speech-language pathologists or other therapists, is necessary to restore functioning to an individual, from basic self-care to an independent lifestyle that includes family and social relationships as well as meaningful employment. Breakthroughs in assisted technology, along with advancements in care and treatment and rehabilitation techniques, provide an ever-expanding range of options for people with paraplegia or quadriplegia to re-enter the workforce and daily life in significant ways.

Choosing the Right Hospital

The initial rehabilitation process will most likely take place at a rehabilitation hospital, to which one is transferred upon discharge from the general hospital where emergency and acute care took place.  The initial rehabilitation team will be dictated primarily by the facility where the patient is at.  It is therefore very important to choose a quality facility that is equipped to handle the issues in your particular case.  The best facility for you may not be nearby, and while being near family can be an important element in your recovery, choosing the proper facility is paramount.  The following questions may help you as you explore options:

• How many patients does the facility treat each year with similar spinal cord injuries to mine?
• Is the facility a specialty center with specialty accreditations in the area(s) I need?  How long has it been accredited?
• What are the experience levels of the medical staff, and how long have they practiced at the facility?
• What is the caseload size for nursing staff?
• How many patients are being treated at the facility at this time?
• Which doctor will be my primary physician?  What are his or her qualifications and experience with my type of injury?
• What programs and services are available for families of the patients?  Are low-cost housing and transportation available?

Choosing the Right Attorney

Given that the most appropriate facility may not be near your home, may not be in your insurance company's network, may not be the cheapest option available, etc., it is important to consult with an attorney regarding your legal rights and sources of payment that will enable you to achieve the best recovery available.  The lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm are experts in handling all types of spinal cord injury cases.  To learn more about your vocational rehabilitation options and your legal rights, contact The Cartwright Law Firm for a free initial consultation.

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