A recent report by the Colorado Center on Law & Policy, State of Working in Colorado 2013, shows that jobs are again steadily increasing in Colorado, finally up 1,000 jobs over the numbers from 2007. However, the number of jobs fails to keep up with population growth, resulting in unemployment rates still far higher than those before the recession. An additional 187,251 jobs would need to be created to return to the unemployment rates in effect in Colorado before the beginning of the great recession in 2007.
This is discouraging news for those seeking different jobs following workplace injuries. Those out of work continue to face much stiffer competition than before the beginning of the recession. Because many injured workers are unable to return to the type of work they performed before their injuries, they are competing in an even more limited job market. An upcoming post will discuss the types of jobs experiencing growth and decline following the recession.
This study may be particularly useful in aiding vocational experts weighing the prospects for reemployment for injured workers seeking permanent total disability benefits, both in settlement discussions and in hearings on PTD.
Workers’ Compensation can be difficult, confusing, and very complex. Kaplan Morrell has helped thousands of injured workers since 1997 get the benefits they deserve. Contact us here or call us at 303-780-7329 for your FREE CONSULTATION.