[Tasks of case managers in statutory accident insurance]

The present article gives an outline of vocational rehabilitation in the Federal Republic of Germany from the perspective of the statutory accident insurance scheme. Termed "Berufshilfe", occupational assistance, the services and benefits provided under the scheme also encompass elements of medical and social rehabilitation of persons who have incurred an industrial injury or occupational disease. Given the scheme's comprehensive catalog of benefits and services, a multitude of possibilities result for assistance to eligible workers and their relatives, which are illustrated by examples. Central to the presentation is the work of the "Berufshelfer", the accident insurance agency's case manager for vocational rehabilitation service provision. Along with competence of the accident insurance agency for medical, vocational and social rehabilitation, this case manager is the point of contact for all those involved in rehabilitation in the individual case, hence in particular for the individual affected, his or her relatives, physicians, rehabilitation facilities, employers as well as third parties, moreover being the point of liaison among these various parties and the administration. The primary objective of these entire efforts is to achieve lasting reintegration of people with physical or emotional disablement in employment, career, and society.