Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation cases shall be reported on Form R-1 or R-2 in compliance with the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. Sections 71-3- 105 and 71-3-19. (a) Claim files shall be reviewed by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission to assure that employees entitled to rehabilitation will receive needed services expediently. (b) In all cases referred for rehabilitation services by the Commission Form R-2 shall be completed and the appropriate copy returned to the Commission together with copies of all reports, programs and services. (c) All cases referred for rehabilitation services to either a public or private supplier by employers and carriers must be reported to the Commission, using Form R-2 together with copies of all reports, programs and services. (d) Using Form R-1, employers and carriers shall notify the Commission immediately of all serious injuries, i.e., (1.) Major amputations, (2.) Spinal cord injuries, (3.) Brain damage, (4.) Loss of sight of one or both eyes, (5.) Severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns as well as those which result in the loss of or loss of use of any member of the body which will render the employee unable to continue employment in the job performed at the time of the injury, or which causes him to be unemployable in another position with the employer or which by experience in the industry causes the employee to be unemployable in any part of the industry. (e) The amount of additional compensation awarded to be used for vocational rehabilitation purposes will be determined by the recommendation of Vocational Rehabilitation Division setting out the contemplated program of training needed and the necessary cost thereof, and shall be awarded only after the injured has been accepted for training. The employer and carrier shall report all cases not within the purview of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Act where an employee needs vocational rehabilitation services. This Rule shall be in force and effect on and after January 18, 2018.