Category / Topic Archives: Vocational rehabilitation


2019 Brought Positive Changes To Vocational Rehabilitation!
By Jason Weinstock on December 13, 2019

Vocational rehabilitation is one the few things/programs I like about the Nevada workers’ compensation system. In short it offers injured workers the ability to learn a new trade and find a job, when they can no longer return to their previous employment. See my blog on vocational rehabilitation for more information. The conclusion of the … Continue reading 2019 Brought Positive Changes To Vocational Rehabilitation!

What happens if you can’t return to your pre-injury employment?
By Jason Weinstock on October 25, 2019

Occasionally, an injured worker’s injuries are so severe that even after medical treatment has concluded they cannot return to work doing what they used to do. Injured workers in this position may not be out of options for future employment… often they will be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. What is vocational rehabilitation? Vocational rehabilitation consists … Continue reading What happens if you can’t return to your pre-injury employment?

Speak English, Please
By Jason Weinstock on May 17, 2013

 Thank you to the International Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Association for inviting me to attend their educational conference last week. It was hosted by certified counselors Gerry Davis, Cindi Rivera, and  retired counselor Jack Dymon at the State of Nevada Bureau of Vocational  Rehabilitation.   The focus of the conference was working with multi-cultural groups, and educational and training resources for … Continue reading Speak English, Please


Problems with Your Vocational Rehab Counselor?
By Jason Weinstock on May 15, 2013

 I was just sharing some war stories on line with other claimants attorneys about our experiences with particular vocational rehabilitation counselors.  There is no question that some counselors do a poor job of assisting injured workers with realistic and fair plans for returning the injured worker to work.  However, the injured worker can make the … Continue reading Problems with Your Vocational Rehab Counselor?

Undocumented Workers Are Entitled to Most Work Comp Benefits
By Jason Weinstock on April 9, 2012

Injured workers in Nevada who do not have proper written proof of their right to legally work in the United States are entitled to the same benefits as any other injured worker, except for vocational rehabilitation benefits.  All injured workers are entitled to medical care for a work-related injury while working for a Nevada employer, even if … Continue reading Undocumented Workers Are Entitled to Most Work Comp Benefits

Thinking of Starting Your Own Business After Your Work Injury?
By Jason Weinstock on October 10, 2011

The reality is that many injured workers are not offered permanent light duty jobs by their employers after their  treating doctors give them permanent work restrictions that prevent them from going back to their usual jobs.  Employers cannot be forced under Nevada workers’ compensation law to give permanent light duty jobs to injured employees.  Instead, … Continue reading Thinking of Starting Your Own Business After Your Work Injury?


The Learning Center- Technology Training Center
By Jason Weinstock on June 2, 2011

Today, I spent an informative afternoon touring The Learning Center with owner Linda Montgomery.  Linda founded this IT  technical training center 26 years ago. Her  impressive facility, housing over 250 computers,  has been located for 3 years at 777 N. Rainbow, just past U.S. 95.  TLC provides IT certification training to many of Nevada’s largest corporations  who … Continue reading The Learning Center- Technology Training Center

Will You Need Retraining?
By Jason Weinstock on May 4, 2011

If you are seriously hurt on the job, and think that you might not be able to return to your old occupation, you may need to be retrained to do a different  kind of work.  Under  Nevada workers’ compensation law, you may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services and benefits if your treating doctor gives you permanent work restrictions that prevent … Continue reading Will You Need Retraining?

Surviving Job Loss: First, Get a Notebook
By Jason Weinstock on December 5, 2010

Injured workers who have permanent physical restrictions that prevent them from returning to their old jobs are usually separated from their old employer and assigned a vocational rehabilitation counselor.  That independent counselor’s job is to help  you develop a retraining program over the next 60 days that can be presented to the adjuster for approval. … Continue reading Surviving Job Loss: First, Get a Notebook


Very Little Job Security After a Work Accident
By Jason Weinstock on September 28, 2010

Q: What happens if my work injury prevents me from being able to do my old job? A:  If your treating doctor releases you with permanent work restrictions that are not compatible with the physical requirements of your job, one of three things is likely to happen: 1) your  employer may offer you a  permanent light duty position , or … Continue reading Very Little Job Security After a Work Accident

What Happens When? PPD Awards and Voc Rehab Buy-Outs
By Jason Weinstock on March 23, 2010

I have included a graphic to clarify what happens when the treating doctor tells the injured worker that he is "stable and ratable".   I have divided injured workers who are stable and ratable into two groups, depending on whether the injured worker is released to go back to work full duty, or whether the injured … Continue reading What Happens When? PPD Awards and Voc Rehab Buy-Outs

Vocational Rehabilitation- My Visit to LV-PITA
By Jason Weinstock on March 17, 2010

This week I visited the Las  Vegas Professional Institute of Technology & Accounting (LV-PITA) to get a first-hand impression of the school’s retraining programs, to pop in on a few classes, meet some instructors, and to meet director Laurie Clemens. I like to personally acquaint myself with the doctors, vocational counselors, nurse case managers, and … Continue reading Vocational Rehabilitation- My Visit to LV-PITA


Health Care Jobs a Good Retraining Choice for Injured Workers in Nevada
By Jason Weinstock on February 24, 2010

The Health Care Quarterly report in the recent issue of "Las Vegas In Business" has some good news for injured workers deciding which retraining program is most likely to lead to actual employment in the future. Health care employment was up 2,300 jobs from last year according to a research analyst.  The health care industry … Continue reading Health Care Jobs a Good Retraining Choice for Injured Workers in Nevada

Starting a New Business in Nevada
By Jason Weinstock on February 4, 2010

For many injured workers who are unable to return to their old jobs due a permanent injury, a formal program of retraining with a vocational rehabilitation counselor may not be an option, or may not be the best option.  Hispanic employees who have difficulty reading and writing English, for example, will not be able to … Continue reading Starting a New Business in Nevada

How Much Retraining Can An Injured Worker Get in Nevada?
By Jason Weinstock on September 30, 2009

Nevada law (NRS 616C.555), provides that the length of a retraining program that may be authorized is determined by the permanent partial disability impairment percentage (the PPD).   This law does not make a lot of sense in that a an injured worker may have a high PPD under the AMA Guides to Evaluation of Permanent … Continue reading How Much Retraining Can An Injured Worker Get in Nevada?