Our WorkStrong Program

What Can I Expect with Physical Therapy for Work Injuries (Worker’s Comp)

WorkStrong is Aquacare/Fitness Forum’s specialized program designed to help injured workers return to work safely and efficiently.

Our industrial medicine physical therapists receive advanced training to accelerate recovery and restore function. What sets us apart is our job-specific documentation, which provides clear, objective data on a client’s physical abilities at any point in their rehabilitation. This allows attorneys, case managers, or insurance adjusters to make timely and confident return-to-work decisions.

Aquacare has years of expertise and knowledge when it comes to worker’s compensation cases and provides a multifaceted program based on a sports medicine approach – the importance of early intervention. We provide an aggressive, hands-on education-oriented protocol.

Injured worker box lifting smiling

Why Choose Aquacare Fitness Forum For Physical Therapy for Work Injuries (Worker’s Comp)

We work with Your Attorneys and Paralegals: Advocates for Injured Workers

Key highlights of our WorkStrong program include:

  • Aquatic therapy for safe and effective early intervention
  • Comprehensive work conditioning and work hardening programs
  • One-on-one, individualized care (never double-booked sessions)
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) offered at our Salisbury, MD location
  • Detailed Functional Progress Notes and Functional Discharge Summaries that set us apart from other providers
injured worker

Phases of Rehabilitation During Physical Therapy for Work Injuries

Phase 1 – Aquatic Rehabilitation

Aquatics allows for earlier intervention. Injured workers can start moving immediately within days of injury or surgery with little or no risk of reinjury. Aquatics is an aggressive, proactive approach to rehabilitation. Incorporating aquatic therapy into an injured worker’s rehabilitation can improve functional outcomes while limiting the cost of recovery. 

Our focus on land rehabilitation is aggressive and “hands-on”. We do not utilize a passive modality-oriented approach that has shown to be ineffective and inefficient with the workers’ comp population. Our emphasis is on educating the worker to assume responsibility for their injury.

Phase 2 – Land Rehabilitation

Phase 3 – Work Conditioning Program

This intense program develops a daily rehearsed routine that simulates work-related activities, lifting, kneeling, reaching, and specific functional activities that correlate to a patient’s specific work tasks. The length of treatment is 4-8 weeks, 2-6 hours a day. Our objective is the get the patient back to work as soon as possible by reteaching them how to perform their job skills while minimizing their risk of injury.

FCEs are available at our Salisbury – S Curve location.

What You Need To Know About Physical Therapy for Work Injuries and Worker’s Comp Laws in Delaware and Maryland

  • Delaware’s and Maryland’s worker’s compensation provides financial and medical benefits to employees injured on the job.
  • It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
  • Employers must carry worker’s compensation insurance or qualify as self-insured.
  • Benefits are available regardless of who was at fault for the injury.

Rules and Guidelines

  • Report the injury to your employer within 90 days to ensure eligibility.
  • File a worker’s compensation claim within two years of the injury date.
  • Choose a healthcare provider approved by the employer’s insurance company.
  • Temporary total disability benefits are paid at two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage.
  • Permanent disability benefits vary based on the severity and impact of the injury.

Process for a Newly Injured Worker

  • Report your injury to your supervisor immediately.
  • Seek medical treatment from an approved healthcare provider.
  • Complete and submit the worker’s compensation claim form.
  • Cooperate with the insurance company’s investigation and provide necessary documentation.
  • Attend all medical appointments and follow the prescribed treatment plan.

How Physical Therapy Helps

  • Physical therapy aids in pain management and recovery.
  • It improves mobility, strength, and flexibility.
  • Therapists design personalized rehabilitation programs to speed up recovery.
  • Physical therapy reduces the risk of future injuries.
  • It prepares injured workers for a safe return to their job duties.

Benefits of WorkStrong

  • Coverage for medical treatments and hospital visits.
  • Compensation for lost wages during recovery.
  • Vocational rehabilitation services for those unable to return to their previous job.
  • Death benefits to dependents in case of fatal workplace injuries.
  • Legal protection against employer retaliation for filing a claim.

Tips for Navigating Worker’s Compensation

  • Keep detailed records of your injury, treatment, and communications.
  • Follow all medical advice and attend scheduled appointments.
  • Stay informed about your rights and responsibilities under Delaware law.
  • Consult with a worker’s compensation attorney if you encounter issues.
  • Maintain open communication with your employer and the insurance company.

Are you an attorney or paralegal with specific questions about Aquacare’s WorkStrong program? Contact Janice Baldwin, Regional Office Manager directly at jbaldwin@aquacarerehab.com and she can walk you through how our program provides quick and accurate results for your clients.

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