Why a Vocational Assessment should be essential to most personal injury cases.

When a person is injured due to negligence, for example in an automobile accident, an attorney is often hired to ensure that he/she can recoup any losses. The Wex Legal Dictionary defines personal injury as an injury not to property, but to the body, mind, or emotions.

Attorneys and individuals considering filing a personal injury claim should consider hiring a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor to evaluate additional damages beyond physical losses.

A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor or CRC is only professional counselor educated and trained at the graduate level to work specifically with individuals with disabilities. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) has set the national standard for delivery of quality rehabilitation counseling services.

The unique qualifications of a CRC include the ability to evaluate an individual holistically, beyond mental health. A vocational assessment entails reviewing detailed medical and psychological history, educational background, social behaviors, interests, values, skills, and abilities to determine a person’s ability to live independently and/or future employability. The information is gathered at a comprehensive interview, which includes testing, and results in a written report detailing important areas pertaining to the impact of an injury or disability on a person’s future.

A vocational assessment may be useful in personal injury claims depending on the injury/injuries sustained. A vocational assessment should be considered in the following cases:

-Severe emotional disturbances

-Loss of a limb(s)

-Significant injury to extremities

-Use of assistive devices (ie. Wheelchair)

-Acquired brain injury

...among others.

A vocational assessment will assist individuals with obtaining the compensation they deserve due to damages caused by negligence. The report is comprehensive, detailed, and can help determine pre-injury and post-injury earning capacity.

A typical vocational assessment includes:

-Review of medical and educational records

-Evaluation of aptitudes, interests, values, and skills through testing

-Analysis of limitations and impact on ability to work

-Recommendations of adaptive technology

-Transferable Skills Analysis

-Labor Market research to determine job availability

-Recommendations for potential rehabilitation needs

-Accommodations for the workplace (if necessary)

-Independent living analysis (if necessary)

Deauna Froneberger is licensed and certified in several areas including mental health, substance use disorders, life care planning, and rehabilitation counseling. A comprehensive vocational assessment by Ms. Froneberger will include elements beyond a typical vocational assessment. If necessary, she may include a behavioral health component to assess for emotional disturbances as a result of the accident. She can also determine if a medical cost projection or life care plan is appropriate for the case.

For more information, contact Deauna Froneberger at (704)666-1862 or deaunaf.trioconsulting@gmail.com

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