Workers Compensation Law: The Role Of An Occupational Therapist And Why You Need One
When you are injured and file a worker's compensation claim, one of the next steps you need to do is see an occupational therapist. In legal terms, this type of therapist may be very influential in arguing for your case should your claim be refused and you need to hire an accident and personal injury lawyer to take your case. Here is what an occupational therapist does, will do for you, and how he or she can benefit your case.
What the Occupational Therapist Does
An occupational therapist measures your capacity to do and complete a number of tasks, including lifting various weighted objects and move things overhead or push them across the floor and underneath other objects. Basically, if it is a physical skill required to do the job to which you have grown accustomed, the occupational therapist will develop tests for these tasks and then have you take or perform the tests. While your doctor may perform some physical limitation tests, your doctor will not go to the extent that an occupational therapist does.
What an Occupational Therapist Will Do for You
By testing all of your physical limitations and notating your inability to perform certain tasks, the therapist is proving your argument that your accident at work stripped you of some abilities to do your job. The therapist will also provide information on whether or not you will ever be able to do the same job again once your injuries have healed. Often, a calculation of the percentage of disability you are currently experiencing is completed and documented in your file. This is some very good evidence to support your worker's compensation case, and information your lawyer can definitely use to your advantage.
In Addition to Tests and Documentation, Your Lawyer Can Call the Therapist as an Expert Witness
If your case requires a more in-depth pursuit of your worker's compensation benefits, the therapist may also serve as an expert witness to your case. He or she can verify what was written in your case notes, verify that he/she was the one that saw you for tests after your accident, and then speak to your current level of abilities. Since courts are more apt to listen to expert testimony and documentation, the involvement of the occupational therapist on all of these levels will provide your lawyer with a lot of strong proof regarding your injuries, incapacitation and validation that you should receive your worker's compensation benefits. Contact a business, such as the Franco Law Firm, for more information.
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