Seattle, WA: 206-521-5676 Olympia, WA: 360-236-8748 Portland/Salem, OR: 503-768-9742 Info@SolutionsNW.com
The Importance of Disability Management Consulting

The Importance of Disability Management Consulting

The Importance of Disability Management Consulting

Did you know that about 61 million Americans live with a disability? With so many people in the United States suffering from a disability, you may end up hiring someone that has a disability. Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington

In this situation, you need to know what you are legally responsible to provide as an employer. Also, you may need some help to get a better idea of how to efficiently run this work environment. 

If this is the case with your company, then disability management consulting is what you need. 

What is disability management? How will your company make it work? 

This is your guide. 

Knowing ADA Requirements 

The first thing that you should do is familiarize yourself with ADA requirements. For those of you that do not know, this is the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

This act helps give people with disabilities not only more rights in the workplace, but in public businesses in general. 

An example could be having access to proper toilets. Every business of a certain size has to have at least one handicap accessible bathroom. If you are using porta potties for an outdoor event, at least 5% of them need to have that handicap access. 

However, this is not limited to just toilets. Public businesses may be required to install ramps to fit the needs of those with a disability. 

Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle WashingtonNow, let’s take this need to an office. Wider spaces may need to be arranged to allow open access to someone with a disability. 

On top of this, if someone requires a service dog to get around, then a business has to comply with that. Also, access to things to enhance communication such as closed caption may be of use as well. 

Disability Management

Now that we have discussed the requirements of certain businesses to be accommodating, let’s dive into disability management. When a business hires someone with a disability, they cannot fire a person for that reason. If they do, it can lead to a discrimination lawsuit. 

So, there needs to be solutions and active efforts made to accommodate the person that has a disability. One way that you can do this is by assigning jobs that may be easier for that person to do. 

For example, if someone is in a wheelchair, have them do a job like data entry that does not force them to leave the computer much. Or, if someone has difficulty hearing, perhaps do not put them on customer service or sales calls. 

Related article: “Disability Leave Services: Short Term vs Long Term

Get Disability Management Consulting

These are a few things that you need to be aware of in the workplace. Your business needs to accommodate not only customers coming in that might have a disability, but also potential employees as well. If you do, you can create a more inclusive workspace and avoid a discrimination lawsuit. 

To take a step in the right direction, your company may need disability management consulting.  If you need expert consultation, contact one of our vocational experts today to get one-on-one assistance. 

At Solutions Northwest Inc., our vocational experts are involved in  ADA Accommodations , personal injury, workers’ compensation, and family law.

Contact us today to make an appointment.

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Contact our Vocational Consultants

When It’s Time to Contact A Vocational Expert Witness

When It’s Time to Contact A Vocational Expert Witness

When It’s Time to Contact A Vocational Expert Witness

When It’s Time to Contact A Vocational Expert Witness
According to the International Labor Organization, roughly 2.3 million workers fall prey to workplace injuries annually. Unfortunately, many of these injuries occur in American workplaces. Damaging accidents can occur in any work Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washingtonenvironment, whether it’s a construction site or an office.

An attorney will help clients find financial compensation for their injuries. However, they will likely need the help of a vocational expert witnesses. These professionals can testify about the extent of a client’s injuries and what kind of work they’ll be able to manage.

We’ll explore the role of these professionals in this guide. Read on to find the answers you need!

Why Hire Vocational Expert Witnesses?

A vocational expert is a professional with in-depth knowledge regarding two things:

  1. the industry the client works in
  2. medical information, especially as it relates to that industry

These experts play a critical role in determining how much money a client should receive in an injury settlement.

Some claimants will exaggerate their injuries to get a higher settlement. Many suspect a claimant’s lawyer will play along with that claim to make more money. That’s where an expert witness comes in.

This witness can provide a third-party testimony that backs up a client’s case and testify about the extent of a client’s injuries.

Then, they can use their industry knowledge to testify on whether said client will be able to work again. Likewise, they can estimate what work a client can perform with this injury.

How do Vocational Witnesses Reach Their Conclusions?

The key to a vocational witness’ testimony is vocational assessments.

This assessment’s goal is to gauge the severity of a client’s injury. From there, they can deduce whether any lingering disabilities will impair their ability to work in their industry.

Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle WashingtonOnce they conduct their personal injury vocational evaluation, they’ll refer to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. This dictionary classifies various types of jobs that people can work.

From there, the vocational expert will determine what category of jobs the client can potentially work. This information can assist the client with finding work once their court case concludes. Likewise, it helps you determine the size of a client’s settlement.

When Should You Hire a Vocational Expert Witness?

Not all personal injury cases require an expert witness. Instead, there are generally two scenarios that make these witnesses necessary.

First, there may not be enough evidence that a client’s injuries will prevent them from returning to work. An expert witness can demonstrate that this is the case.

Second, there may be complicated evidence that requires a professional explanation. In these cases, expert witnesses can break down the evidence in a way that judges understand.

Hire a Vocational Expert Witness

As you can see, vocational expert witnesses play a critical role in personal injury cases. They can play a deciding factor in determining whether a client gets their required settlement.

More importantly, they can help workers find stable work after the court case. That’s the task our services prioritize!

Solutions Northwest, Inc. specializes in stay-at-work solutions. We strive to help our clients continue to make a living after court.

We also provide top-notch legal consultation services. In addition to worker’s compensation and personal injury cases, we provide a family law vocational assessment as well. Schedule a consultation with our team today!

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Contact our Vocational Consultants

3 Tips to Comply with ADA Requirements in The Workplace

3 Tips to Comply with ADA Requirements in The Workplace

3 Tips to Comply with ADA Requirements in The Workplace

3 Tips to Comply with ADA Requirements in The WorkplaceContact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington

1 in 4 Americans lives with some type of disability according to the CDC.

As an employer, human resource manager, or business owner – it is your job to ensure all employees are equally accommodated.

This is important because failing to properly accommodate for disabilities can be illegal due to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

But how do you go about making sure you’re in compliance with all requirements? Read on to learn tips from our ADA Experts on complying with ADA in the workplace.

1. Understand that each worker has a unique set of needs

The first step in tackling ADA accommodations in the workplace is to understand that each worker will have a unique set of needs. In this case, simply treating every employee the same doesn’t equate to equal access and opportunity.

Even when it comes to disabled workers, you mustn’t treat them all the same – not all disabled workers have the same disabilities, and many disabilities exist along a spectrum.

2. Educate yourself on ADA Accommodations best practices

According to the EEOC, a reasonable ADA accommodation is:

“Any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities.”

There are some obvious physical accommodations for things like ramps and widening restroom entrances for wheelchairs. And there are also digital accommodations for things like screen readers or magnification for the visually impaired and subtitles for the deaf.

3. Hire a specialist for ADA Accommodations

When assessing and implementing ADA accommodations for the workplace, it is highly recommended to use an ADA specialist. An ADA accommodations specialist will have more knowledge in workplace safety compliance law and ADA regulations than internal staff or other non-specialists.
Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington
An ADA accommodations specialist knows how to gather information about specific problems and communicate with employees in order to deliver the best solution.

Ultimately, investing in an ADA accommodations specialist will lead to a safer and more productive workplace – which will pay off in the long run.

Stay Proactive About ADA Accommodations at Work

Managing ADA Accommodations and staying in compliance with the law can be tricky, especially if the stakes are high.

Having an ADA Accommodations Specialist help you with employees that have different needs will ensure everyone stays happy and safe and that all employees with disabilities are accommodated.

Are you interested in learning more about  ADA Accommodations Specialists or other helpful solutions for your business?  Consider contacting Solutions Northwest Inc., and we can help you. Our vocational experts are involved in  ADA Accommodations Specialist, personal injury, workers’ compensation, and family law.

If you need our guidance, our legal experts are ready to guide you through the process.

Contact us today to make an appointment.

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

 

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Contact our Vocational Consultants

4 Types of Workers Compensation

4 Types of Workers Compensation

4 Types of Workers Compensation

Vocational Expert Tips: 4 Types of Workers CompensationContact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington

This year, about 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries were reported in the US. 15% of workplace injuries are in manufacturing. Meanwhile, the construction industry has the highest on-the-job fatality rates.

One of the reasons most states across the US require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance is to provide important protections for employees who get injured or become ill on the job.

Workers’ compensation provides several types of coverage for employees if they need it. Read on to learn more about the types of workers’ compensation coverage and for tips from our vocational experts.

1. Workplace Medical Care

Workers’ compensation insurance should cover the related medical expenses if an employee gets injured on the job and needs medical care.

The employee needs to inform their boss of the injury or illness, and the employer files a claim with their workers’ compensation insurer. The worker would seek medical treatment.

Often for worker’s compensation, the insurance company will ask the injured party to see a specific medical provider if the injury isn’t emergent.

Medical care coverage includes things like:

  • Hospital and emergency room visits
  • Doctor’s appointments
  • Medications
  • Therapy and rehabilitation
  • Recovery equipment

If the original injury creates other medical issues resulting from the original injury, workers’ compensation should also cover that care.

Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington2. Workplace Disability

When a worker gets injured and unable to return to work, they may need disability. The disability part of workers’ compensation allows workers to be compensated for the lost wages while out on disability.

There are several types of disability, depending on the circumstances.

          • Temporary total disability means the worker is injured badly enough that they must be off work for a period of time, but they expect to make a full recovery. Once healed, they can return to work without any limitations.
          • Temporary partial disability means the worker can work but less. Perhaps they work fewer hours and with fewer demands while their injury heals.
          • Permanent total disability means the injury is so significant that the worker will never return to work.
          • Finally, permanent partial disability means the worker can return to work once healed but will never be able to perform their previous job.

Employees may need to participate in a forensic vocational evaluation to define their level of disability.

3. Worker Rehabilitation

Often employees who are injured on the job need rehabilitation care. This might include treatments like physical therapy or occupational therapy.

The employee may need an employability assessment to determine their ability to function on the job.

If it’s likely that the employee can’t return to their previous job ever because of the impact of the injury, they might also need a vocational evaluation. This would help to define what they can do.

4. Employee Death Benefits and Funeral Expenses

If a worker loses their life on the job, workers’ compensation insurance will also pay for funeral expenses for the deceased’s family.

Many policies also provide death benefits in the form of lost wages. There are caps or limits on these, depending on the policy.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation for Your Workplace

Workers’ compensation provides essential protections for workers in case of injury. It helps to avoid litigation by ensuring the worker has medical coverage and lost wages.

If you have an injured employee who needs an employability assessment in Washington state, we can help. Contact us today so we can help with the vocational counseling and evaluations your injured worker needs.

Solutions Norhtwest Inc. is involved in personal injury, workers’ compensation, ergonomics, family law, and more.

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Contact our Vocational Consultants

Family Law Earning Capacity: What You Need to Know

Family Law Earning Capacity: What You Need to Know

Family Law Earning Capacity: What You Need to Know

Tips From Vocational Experts: Family Law Earning CapacityContact The Family Law Experts

Unfortunately, far too many marriages end in divorce. In Washington State, there are nearly 21,500 divorces per year.

Many people assume that the legal fight ends when a judge officially terminates a marriage. However, many couples end up back in court when their circumstances change. For example, it is not uncommon for former spouses to find a more lucrative career or remarry.

Earning capacity is a popular topic in family law that is often revisited even after a divorce is finalized. Read on for a guide to family law earning capacity. Explore topics such as an employability assessment and a family law vocational evaluation.

What Is Family Law Earning Capacity?

Earning capacity is a legal term that is important in family law. It refers to a person’s ability to earn money over a year.

It is largely determined by the person’s education level and the skills they have acquired. Years of experience are an important factor in calculating a person’s earning capacity. Specialized training may also weigh on this assessment.

Contact The Family Law ExpertsYou may be wondering why this information is necessary. Lawyers for both sides need to consider a partners ability to earn compensation. This way, an equitable financial agreement can be reached during divorce proceedings.

A divorcee’s earning capacity is utilized to calculate child support payments. Spousal support is based on earning capacity as well.

What is an Employability Assessment?

For many divorced persons, determining their earning capacity is not as simple as reviewing a W-2 form or prior years income tax filings. Many couples mutually decide for a partner to stay home. This may be for convenience or so that one spouse can care for their children while the other works.

Whatever the reason, the court needs to determine whether this person is employable or not. If they return to the workforce, what are their prospects of landing a job?

This employability assessment includes a look at the persons physical condition and whether they can handle full or part-time work. Typically, this involves reviewing medical files and consultations with medical professionals.

It also considers the persons cognitive ability and whether the mental aptitude is there for employment. How much will they earn in this new occupation?

What is a Family Law Vocational Assessment?

The question of earning capacity cannot be answered by an employability assessment alone. A vocational assessment is also required to complete the picture.

This assessment considers a person’s educational background. Do they have a high school diploma or GED? Does the individual have a college degree and, if so, what did he or she major in?

The next factor looks at a person’s skill set and knowledge base. This qualitative information dictates whether the person is paid like an entry-level worker or further up the scale.

Consult With a Vocational Expert on Family Law Earning Capacity

You now have a basic understanding of earning capacity in family law. To perform earning capacity analysis, experts are likely to conduct an employability assessment and vocational evaluation.

Are you looking for an agency with a proven ability to help understand family law earning capacity? Contact Solutions Northwest today to learn how we can help you!

Our experts are knowledgeable about Family Law, ADA accommodation issues, disability and injury management, workers’ compensation and more! We are happy to assist you!

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Contact our Vocational Consultants

Workers Compensation: What Every Workplace Needs to Know

Workers Compensation: What Every Workplace Needs to Know

Workers Compensation: What Every Workplace Needs to Know

Workers Compensation: A Guide From Vocational ExpertsContact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle Washington

Can you believe that there were almost 3 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported in the private industry last year?

It’s an unfortunate fact that many cases not only need forensic vocational evaluation but also workers compensation. Whether you’re an attorney, risk manager, or HR professional, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with workers comp. That way, you can make the most informed decisions possible.

Are you wondering what it entails? Keep reading to learn all about workers compensation.

What is Workers Compensation?

Workers comp is a program mandated by the government. It allows an employee to receive a certain amount of benefits after they’ve suffered an illness or injury on the job.

You could view workers comp as a type of disability safety net for employees. Knowing that they have access to healthcare and money in the event of an emergency can go a long way toward instilling peace of mind.

If there’s any cash involved, it’s often only partial coverage of the salary that the employee would have earned had they been able to go to work as usual.

How Does Workers Comp Work? Are There Consultants for Advice?

It’s important to emphasize that most workers compensation deals only cover relevant medical costs. The medical bills must be associated with the workplace injury or illness that occurred while they were working on the job.

This prevents someone from taking advantage of the program. For instance, they wouldn’t be able to treat a chronic issue that stemmed from an unrelated incident.

Contact Vocational Consultants for Assessments on Worker Compensation Seattle WashingtonOne important facet of workers comp is that it waives an employee’s right to sue if they accept it. This allows both the employee and the employer to be protected.

The exact rules and regulations surrounding workers compensation depend on the state you live in. Anyone who lives in Washington state, for example, should seek out an employability assessment in Washington state. That way, you can get the most accurate information and make a decision that’s informed.

Take Advantage of Expert Vocational Testimony

If you’ve never heard this before, it’s enough to know that it’s a type of employability assessment. While workers compensation is a necessary component of the private and public industries, that doesn’t mean you can’t assess various risks ahead of time. This will ensure that your client or company is as protected as possible.

A proper vocational evaluation and expert vocational testimony would involve medical file reviews, job analysis, vocational interest, earning capacity analysis, and much more.

Stay Proactive About Workers Compensation

Now that you’ve learned about workers compensation from our vocational experts, you can make more informed decisions as an attorney, risk manager, or HR professional. That way, you can prepare your client or employee and make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

If you need a vocational expert or consultant who is familiar with Washington and Oregon workers compensation rules and regulations, look no further than our qualified team at Solutions Northwest Inc. – we can offer you valuable vocational evaluations and much more.

Contact us today to chat with our Vocational Experts to see what we can do for you!

At Solutions Northwest Inc., our vocational experts are involved in  ADA Accommodations , personal injury, workers’ compensation, and family law.

Contact us today to make an appointment.

Subscribe to our blog for more work related tips from Solutions Northwest, Inc., experts available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, WA.

Contact the Vocational Consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Contact our Vocational Consultants

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