The Illinois Appellate Court confirms that vocational rehabilitation is not mandatory. Rather, vocational rehabilitation is only to be authorized when it is "appropriate."
The Illinois Appellate Court, in the case of Euclid Beverage v. Illinois Workers' Compensation Comm'n, 2019 Ill.App.(2nd) 180090WC, acknowledged that vocational rehabilitation does not need to be authorized unless appropriate. In order for vocational rehabilitation to be appropriate, the claimant must prove that (1) he/she suffered a work-related injury that (2) caused a reduction in their earning power AND (3) there is evidence that vocational rehabilitation will increase that earning power.
Even if all three elements are proven, vocational rehabilitation is still not appropriate if there is evidence showing that the claimant does not intend to return work. Therefore, if the claimant has made no effort to return to work and has no intention of returning to work, vocational services are not appropriate even if the claimant would otherwise qualify for said service.
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