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A Brief Guide To Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Vocational Assessment

If you’re an injured worker who receives Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp benefits, at some point, the insurer may request a “vocational interview”. This begins the workers comp vocational assessment process whereby the insurer tries to establish an earning power. They must first confirm that the pre- injury employer cannot accommodate your restrictions, before undertaking the vocational assessment in a workers’ compensation case in Pennsylvania (sometimes referred to as a “Labor Market Survey” or “Earning Power Assessment”).

What is the purpose of Vocational Assessment?

The vocational interview tends to last about 45 minutes or so. I attend these with my clients to make sure the questions are appropriate and relevant. Then the expert tries to find jobs within the injured worker’s geographical region that fit within the vocational and physical abilities of the injured worker.

A report gets generated listing the specific jobs that are allegedly available. It lists the alleged earning power of the injured worker, and soon thereafter a Petition to Modify or Suspend benefits is filed- putting the case before a Workers’ Compensation Judge.

How To Tack Petition To Modify or Suspend Work Comp Benefits?

There are many ways to defend a Petition to Modify or Suspend benefits. Call or email me 7 days a week to discuss your case- no fees can be charged in any work comp case without a court order so there must be litigation or a settlement for a work comp attorney to get paid. In other words- you’ll get advice without having to send us any money. Call a Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Attorney at (215) 206-9068 or email at Michael@CardamoneLaw.com.

Workers Comp Vocational Assessment
Image Source: Unsplash/Van Tay Media
Every injured worker must realize that the goal of the work comp insurer is to pay AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. So they aggressively use the tools available to them under the PA Workers Comp Act to challenge benefits.

5 Things to Remember About Workers’ Comp Vocational Assessments

Here are some things you should consider when dealing with workers comp vocational assessment:

  1. Avoid making thoughtless claims that could be used to revoke the work comp benefits
  2. Do not make exaggerated or overly optimistic statements to your vocational counselor
  3. Don’t let the vocational counselor mislead you, pay attention to what he is saying and respond carefully
  4. Always listen to your doctor, don’t rush back to work. It is important to get back to work as soon as you are ready but never put your health at risk
  5. Hire an experienced and knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney to protect your work comp benefits

Lawyer Up! Contact Cardamone Law

The Workers’ Comp Vocational Assessment is a common way to challenge benefits. It is not a wise decision to fight the insurer alone. They are receiving legal advice from attorneys and you should too. Your loss of earning power may be significant and permanent and you won’t want to have your checks reduced merely because you failed to “lawyer up”. This area of the PA Work Comp Act is very technical and you will want a Certified PA Work Comp Specialist to maximize your chances at defending against a reduction in your weekly or bi-weekly checks.

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Cardamone Law Has Negotiated Some of the Largest Workers’ Comp Settlements in Pennsylvania

$2.2 Million
Spinal Injury
$897,000
Lower Back Injury
$650,000
Lower Back Injury
$550,000
Neck Injury
$425,000
Leg Injury
$375,000
Knee Injury
$325,000
Ankle Injury
& Hundreds More Cases
$2.2 Million
Spinal Injury
$897,000
Lower Back Injury
$650,000
Lower Back Injury
$550,000
Neck Injury
$425,000
Leg Injury
$375,000
Knee Injury
$325,000
Ankle Injury
& Hundreds More Cases

Client Testimonials

"Best Law Firm around!"

"Cardomone law is absolutely fantastic! They are very responsive and helpful and they will fight to get you what you deserve. Shirley is also very helpful whenever you have any questions! Best Law Firm around!"

- C. Edwards
Google Reviews
"Michael and Shirley are very dedicated...and getting the maximum amount favorable to my case"

"Cardamone Law Firm were very helpful to me since day one. Michael and Shirley are very dedicated to my case giving me updates, answering my questions, being honest with my case, and getting the maximum amount favorable to my case. Thank you so much for your service and dedication and helping me to achieve not only your case but to guide and refer me in other needs too! You guys are the best law firm friendly and dedicated. I will recommend to anyone."

- A. Ortiz
Google Reviews
"Michael won my workers comp case after my employer insurance denied my claim."

"Exceptional firm. Highly recommend this law firm. Michael won my Workers Comp case after my employer insurance denied my claim. Him and his staff were always at my reach for legal and emotional support. Am so happy I hire them. Thanks Michael and Ms. Shirley."

- Carlos P.
Google Reviews
"[They] did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time."

"I recently had a work related injury and was receiving Workers' Compensation (medical benefits only). Soon after I was fired, so I contacted Paul Silver at Cardamone Law Firm who did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time. Paul and his assistant Shirley always responded to any questions I had about the case in a very short amount of time. Thank you for helping me with this difficult case."

- Robin C.
Google Reviews
"Highly recommend."

"Cardamone Law was great with helping my husband with his Workers Comp issues. Mike and Shirley were the best with letting us know what was going on every step of the way. Highly recommend."

- Danielle P.
Google Reviews
"Mike Cardamone is amazing"

"Mike Cardamone is amazing. He is "hands down" one of the best lawyers I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He is very kind, understanding, knowledgeable in his field, always very thorough and helpful. He was extremely professional and someone who truly cares about his clients. I felt completely at ease with him. He was a pleasure to work with, explained everything in detail, as well as answered all my questions with knowledge and care. If you want someone you can trust, who communicates every step of the way, will fight for you and make sure you win your case, he is it! I will refer all my family and friends to him. Thank you so much Mike, for everything. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication in helping me."

- Allie M.
Google Reviews
Without a doubt YOU are the best!!!

"Without a doubt YOU are the best!!! Every person who is in the horrible position of being injured at work should have someone as kind, compassionate and knowledgeable as you on their side. You never once made me feel like I was one of a hundred other clients. I always knew you had my back! You answered calls and emails at all hours. You fought every fight for me so I only had to worry about getting well. Behind your nice, calm face there’s a pit bull ready to take on any employer or judge. I can never thank you enough."

- L. Edall
Google Reviews
"Best Workers' Comp Lawyer!"

"Michael is simply the best! He was there for me from day 1 till the end, and we won the case!! He is always available to help. I had a gazillion questions and he would answer them one by one. He's a great lawyer and I feel lucky to have found him online from reading other outstanding reviews about him. Believe me, they're true!"

- Faith B.
Google Reviews
"Great Attorney"

"Great attorney, handled case quickly and efficiently. I would recommend him and would use him again. He was always available to answer any questions we had. Thank you, Mr. Cardamone."

- H. Anderson
Google Reviews