Of course nobody wants to get hurt at work ... but if it happens here's a few hints that might just help you secure your claim:
Report to first-aid immediately:
The WCB act requires that the worker report to the employer “as soon as practicable” and may disallow a claim if this is not done.
As well, unreasonable delay (unreasonable in the company’s judgment) from injury time until report time will likely result in the company questioning your claim.
Telling your foreman that you have injured yourself is not the same as reporting to first aid - if your condition gets worse and you need to go off work your claim may be denied.
Be sure to report to first-aid before going on days off (Do not think that you will recover with rest).
On the first aid report:
Try and remember the one incident or the combination of incidents that were responsible for your injury. A vague first-aid report of “I’m not sure what happened, it was a busy day” could result in a probable denial.
If there were witnesses be sure to include them on the report.
Make notes for yourself so that you can recall the incident later
Go to your doctor as soon as you can:
If you can’t see your own doctor right away go to Emergency or a Walk In Clinic. A time lapse of as little as a day or two may result in a denial of your claim.
Follow your doctors advice:
Attend all recommended therapies and treatments prescribed by your doctor.
Report back to first-aid every day you work and your injury still hurts. A clear track record of help from the first-aid report on will help secure your claim if you suddenly have to go off work.
Dealing with the WCB:
If the caseworker calls you or comes in for a workplace assessment and asks you about your outside activities, you must co-operate, but be careful of your answers. WCB and the company will try to relate your outside activities to your injury. Example - Tendonitis in your elbow - “I play tennis.”
When filing for a WCB claim do NOT use their Dial-A-Claim hotline. Your call will be recorded and any information you provide (which may be more than was required) can be used out of context against you. Contact your union WCB rep (see below) and they will assist you in filling out the required forms.
Use your union WCB reps:
Your union WCB reps attend regular WCB advocacy training and can assist you with all aspects of your case including filling out and FAXing all necessary WCB forms and paperwork. If your claim is denied your union WCB reps can also appeal the claim for you.
If your injury results in time away from work:
Do NOT use vacation time or earned time off as a means of recuperation! If the injury persists longer than anticipated and further time off is required the vacation time you used will work against you in proving the severity of the injury (i.e. it appears as time off to vacation not treat an injury). Again, contact your union rep and they will assist you to file the appropriate paperwork to start your claim.
If you have any questions:
Contact your union reps.
Your current WCB reps are Rob Bruno (250.320.1609), Bruce Steinson (250.851.9244) and Charlie Fraser (778.220.4980).
Report to first-aid immediately:
The WCB act requires that the worker report to the employer “as soon as practicable” and may disallow a claim if this is not done.
As well, unreasonable delay (unreasonable in the company’s judgment) from injury time until report time will likely result in the company questioning your claim.
Telling your foreman that you have injured yourself is not the same as reporting to first aid - if your condition gets worse and you need to go off work your claim may be denied.
Be sure to report to first-aid before going on days off (Do not think that you will recover with rest).
On the first aid report:
Try and remember the one incident or the combination of incidents that were responsible for your injury. A vague first-aid report of “I’m not sure what happened, it was a busy day” could result in a probable denial.
If there were witnesses be sure to include them on the report.
Make notes for yourself so that you can recall the incident later
Go to your doctor as soon as you can:
If you can’t see your own doctor right away go to Emergency or a Walk In Clinic. A time lapse of as little as a day or two may result in a denial of your claim.
Follow your doctors advice:
Attend all recommended therapies and treatments prescribed by your doctor.
Report back to first-aid every day you work and your injury still hurts. A clear track record of help from the first-aid report on will help secure your claim if you suddenly have to go off work.
Dealing with the WCB:
If the caseworker calls you or comes in for a workplace assessment and asks you about your outside activities, you must co-operate, but be careful of your answers. WCB and the company will try to relate your outside activities to your injury. Example - Tendonitis in your elbow - “I play tennis.”
When filing for a WCB claim do NOT use their Dial-A-Claim hotline. Your call will be recorded and any information you provide (which may be more than was required) can be used out of context against you. Contact your union WCB rep (see below) and they will assist you in filling out the required forms.
Use your union WCB reps:
Your union WCB reps attend regular WCB advocacy training and can assist you with all aspects of your case including filling out and FAXing all necessary WCB forms and paperwork. If your claim is denied your union WCB reps can also appeal the claim for you.
If your injury results in time away from work:
Do NOT use vacation time or earned time off as a means of recuperation! If the injury persists longer than anticipated and further time off is required the vacation time you used will work against you in proving the severity of the injury (i.e. it appears as time off to vacation not treat an injury). Again, contact your union rep and they will assist you to file the appropriate paperwork to start your claim.
If you have any questions:
Contact your union reps.
Your current WCB reps are Rob Bruno (250.320.1609), Bruce Steinson (250.851.9244) and Charlie Fraser (778.220.4980).
