Let’s Help Injured Workers to a Better Future...a Better Life

OCC is a firm believer in education. We know that education creates choice and possibility in life. We want to be part of the choice and possibility for your clients and make you look like the superheroes you are.

When an injured worker comes to you after they have lost their job, their self-esteem has taken a beating and they may be feeling worthless. They are probably hurting physically as well. They look up to their attorney as the person who can guide them to the other side of this. You are in a unique position to encourage them to do something they may have never considered before.

People who have only learned one way to make a living are going to have a hard time seeing other possibilities. They generally go back to the kind of work they were doing when they were injured because they don’t know what else to do.  But if they train to do something different, say computers, they have all new choices. If they want to learn about other parts of the world, they could work as a travel agent. If they prefer to work out in the field, they could go into real estate. Maybe they have always had an interest in cooking, they could get a cooking certificate and become a vocational cooking teacher as well as being able to show their family how to eat better, paying it forward for future generations. Education equals choices.

So the injury can actually be an entirely fresh start to a new life; an improved life. But your clients need you to paint that picture for them. They are probably very discouraged and the idea of doing something new may sound daunting. You must support them and be their champion. If OCC could ask anything of attorneys, it would be to recognize how much influence you have on your clients. They look up to you for guidance and you can use that power to encourage them and point them toward education to make the most of their futures.

Acknowledging some talent or skill you see in your client goes a long way. A few simple comments like, “You are very intelligent. There are many things you can do. Talk to the experts and I know you will find success with something you enjoy doing,” can make a huge difference to your clients and allow them to see potential they had not seen before. Try to see your client as they were before their injury. Show them how education can lead them down a totally new path that will improve their lives. As the attorney, you have a lot of credibility and power in this situation. You can say, "Wow. I notice that you are very articulate. With an education, you can really get a career of your choice." Or, "You're so smart. You have figured out all these difficult things on your own and you made it this far. You're so resourceful. I think with just a little bit of education, you can really go far." Those words are like the wind beneath the wings of any person.

Another motivating factor is family. Everyone wants to help their family to better their lives. Your client’s commitment to their family could be the thing that gets them to become educated. If you can encourage them to get started, once they are in school, there’s no telling how far they can take it. When I was going to school I wanted to quit so many times! What kept me from doing that? My family. I kept thinking of them and I stayed.

You can be one of your client’s angels in this world. If you show them the value of the voucher and their ability to transform their quality of life through education, you will be instrumental in their success. You can boost their confidence, encourage education to further their skill set and in doing so change their lives. They will no longer be alone, they will be healing, and they will be building a future.