Injured on the Job?
We are here for you.
Helping you to return to work safely. We have over 27 years of experience helping injured workers return to work safely, in jobs that pay a comparable wage.
OUR MISSION
At Catamount we believe that everyone has the right to a fulfilling job.
We take a proactive role in collaborating with injured workers, insurance carriers and employers so that the worker returns to a safe job that pays a comparable wage.
We are here for you with:
We support injured Vermonters in completing timely recovery and return to work.
For Attorneys
The injured workers’ statutory right to return to work that is safe and that pays a comparable wage is a valuable benefit. We welcome collaboration and attorney input.
For Injured Workers
We help you get back to work that is safe and pays a comparable wage. This process, called Vocational Rehabilitation, is a workers’ compensation benefit.
For Claims Adjusters
Our proactive approach in clarifying work capacity supports the claimant in getting back to suitable work as quickly as possible.
About Us
Karina Dunigan, MS, CRC
Karina is the owner of Catamount Case Management. She has worked in mental health and vocational rehabilitation counseling for 10 years. She holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Karina joined Catamount in 2017 as an intern. Before joining the company, she worked at the Howard Center, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, and Burlington School District. Karina understands the value of hands-on training, and is dedicated to finding meaningful educational opportunities for injured workers.
Karina grew up in Central Vermont, and now lives in Colchester with her husband and two cats. She enjoys reading, bird-watching, hiking and kayaking.
Jay Spiegel, MSW
Jay started Catamount in 1997 after working in vocational rehabilitation and community mental health. Over the years Jay has advocated for injured workers’ rights both with individuals and at the State Legislature. Jay helps injured workers return to suitable employment, and also provides expert witness testimony in divorce and Social Security cases.
Jay lives in Washington, Vermont with his wife and Yellow Labrador Samson. You can find him gardening in the summer, skiing in the winter and rebuilding his father’s 1964 Land Rover regardless of the season.
Services We Offer
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
Vocational rehabilitation counseling for injured workers is the process of assisting people with work injuries explore and identify employment opportunities that will both pay a comparable wage, and be suitable to any restrictions they may have. This goal is achieved through collaboration between injured worker and counselor, and with emphasis on individual interests and abilities.
More About Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
Expert Witness Testimony
Expert witness testimony involves providing dispassionate and objective data outlining income capacity, and recommendations for career development to support long-term professional advancement. The process results in a detailed formal report, outlining findings and providing supporting documentation. As necessary, testimony is provided to support the hearing and adjudication processes.
More About Expert Witness Testimony
Case Review
On an individualized case by case basis, Catamount can assist parties with case review and comment. Depending on the scope of the request, review can be brief with no charge. Formal case review with written findings can be arranged by the parties on a fee for service basis.
More About Case Review
Links & FAQs
Helpful Links for Injured Workers
- Info for Injured Workers
- Forms for Injured Workers
- Form to Change VR Counselors
- Digital Literacy Assessment
Vermont Department of Labor: Important claims information and injured worker forms.
Vermont Department of Labor: Important forms including a job search log, medical release and mileage reimbursement request form.
Injured workers have the right to change Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors. If you are not represented, you may complete this form and choose a new counselor from the list of certified counselors on the VT Department of Labor’s website.
If you are represented, review this form with your attorney.
For injured workers who have long-term restrictions, it is often necessary for them to enhance their skills for less physically demanding work.
In the increasingly computerized world, it is critically important to secure an accurate assessment of an individual’s current skills. This is often an important step early in the assessment process. Northstar Digital Literacy provides a simple and accessible means of establishing current computer skills.