If an employee with restrictions can perform essential functions of the pre-injury job, with or without accommodations, employers are required to provide these accommodations.

Retraining is expensive and is often unsuccessful in returning the employee to the workforce. Retraining is an option only if jobs based on the employee's skills and abilities are unavailable in the employee's field or in another field. Retraining is considered the option of last resort.

 Retraining educational programs must be attended year-round with no summer breaks. The employee must attend classes, achieve good grades, and complete the program.

Retraining's main obstacle can fall short of meeting the primary return- to-work goal: bringing injured employees back to work in some capacity. Sometimes employees may want retraining in a different field to improve their earning capacity. While commendable, they may not do so at the expense of the company by continuing lost-wage benefits while being retrained. Employers do not have an obligation to retrain them to a higher earning capacity although some may chose to do so.

In most states employers do not have to retrain employees if appropriate employment is available; however, a company may choose to extend the offer of retraining as a good will gesture.

Who is and is not covered by WC in construction? Full-time employees are covered, but what about part-time employees, day laborers, leased employees, borrowed employees and occasional volunteer work by a family member? Read it.

Your workers comp program is inadequate and thus costly, if the 5 following common workers' compensation program mistakes are made.

"Unknown" is not a response; it is a default.  A recent case in NY workers comp law demonstrates the need to immediately provide basic information to avoid liability. You will have to read this one to believe it. Attorney Theodore Ronca explains. 

How can you reduce WC costs by 20% to 50%? This 181-page guidebook helps Risk Managers, Agents, Consultants, and Brokers assess Workers Comp programs, design program materials, roll out a program to the organization, and monitor & manage the program once implemented. BUY 1, GET 1 FREE thru Dec 31, 2012.