Committed DCM Helps Paralyzed Employee Return to Work

When Disability Claim Manager Carli Torres encountered an especially challenging claim, she was determined to help. The claim involved “Jack,” who was paralyzed from the chest down after an accident. Although Jack was considered totally disabled and had been approved by Social Security for disability benefits, Carli and Jack worked together toward a common goal—Jack’s return to work.

Carli started by referring Jack to a worksite facility that identified what he would need to function fully at work. She discovered he had already obtained a tilt-in wheelchair and a wheelchair-accessible van. To overcome his considerable physical challenges at work, Carli determined Jack would require a Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switch, special desk, and special chair.

Carli then teamed up with Bela Dama, a Consultant in our Vocational Rehabilitation unit. Bela and Carli coordinated their efforts to help Jack fulfill his work needs. “Jack’s goals were clear and focused,” Bela said, and she built a relationship with him through e-mail as Jack took an active role in his return-to-work efforts.

Bela and Carli’s team approach encouraged Jack to become a valuable resource. He even researched the various technological items he would need to return to his job. Jack compared different versions of the same item, selecting the ones that fit his needs best. He went so far as to do competitive pricing, giving Bela the details she needed to make an informed—and powerfully compelling—recommendation. Between them, they determined Jack would need special cables, a new keyboard, and a trackball in addition to the KVM switch and the modified desk and chair.

Particularly crucial was the KVM switch. Prior to the accident, Jack often moved between two to three monitors simultaneously. The KVM switch allowed Jack the option of viewing several computer monitors from one. This made his return to work possible.

Prudential, on Bela’s recommendation, authorized the payments and they were processed immediately. Prudential paid for everything Jack needed: the KVM switch, cables, keyboard, desk, chair, and trackball. It all fell under Prudential’s Return-to-Work provision, which authorizes workplace accommodations. To further accommodate Jack’s needs, his employer modified his work area and provided a new scanner and speakerphone.

It only took Jack two weeks from the time Carli received his worksite evaluation report to return to work. Without the commitment and tremendous turnaround efforts of Carli and Bela, the outcome may not have been so successful. With the help of Prudential’s dedicated claim managers, one year after his accident, Jack is back at work and taking on his full duties.

Stay tuned for more of these inspiring stories—all proof of Prudential’s ongoing commitment to our clients and their employees.

For internal use only. Not for use with the public

Disability Insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102 1-800-290-5903. Please refer to the Booklet-Certificate for all plan details, including any exclusions, limitations, and restrictions which may apply. Contract series 83500.

This policy provides disability income insurance only. It does NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Insurance Department.

North Carolina Residents: THIS IS NOT A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN. If you are eligible for Medicare, review the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare, which is available from the company.

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