WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INSURANCE (ALSO KNOWN AS WORKER'S COMPENSATION)


We assist injured workers in obtaining compensation through the province's worker's compensation system.

What is Worker's Compensation?

Worker’s compensation is a system for compensating workers who have been injured in the course of their employment. You can think of worker’s compensation as an insurance scheme -- employers pay premiums into the scheme and if a worker is injured, the scheme compensates the worker. Although the employer is required to pay regular insurance premiums, they benefit from not being sued by an injured employee.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) administers Ontario’s worker’s compensation system. The system is not only meant to compensate injured worker, but to help prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace. Ontario has had worker’s compensation legislation in place since 1914, when the Workmen’s Compensation Act was first passed.

How to Make a Claim

If you’re a worker who has been injured or become ill on the job, it’s very important to follow the WSIB’s instructions about reporting the incident and completing a claim to the Board. The WSIB requires that a worker promptly inform his or her employer about the accident or illness. Employees must also document any lost time and/or wages resulting from the accident or illness. It may help for employees to take notes at the time of accident or illness and it’s usually a good idea to seek medical attention.

WSIB benefits may pay for:
1. Health care costs incurred to treat the injury or illness;
2. Medication prescribed to treat the injury or illness; and/or
3. Temporary income (lost wages while recovering)

If a worker seeks medical attention due to a workplace injury or illness, he or she should inform the health care professional that the injury happened at work or the illness was caused by something at work. The treating health care professional would then have to complete a WSIB report (Form 8), which is sent to the Board.

When making a claim, an employee must complete
Form 6. The Board has published a helpful Reference Guide to help employees complete the claim form.

It is important that workers not delay in making claims to the Board since claims must be made within six months of the date of an accident or onset of a disease. In exceptional circumstances, a claim can be filed after six months.

More information to come.

Please contact us for additional information and advice.