Employers and employees in Ontario are entitled to certain rights and protections through the Ministry of Labour’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in the event of significant work-related accidents. If you have been injured in a workplace incident in Ontario and your ability to work has been affected, filing a claim with the WSIB may be the right option for you.
For assistance filing a WSIB claim or submitting an appeal following a negative decision, our Toronto WSIB lawyers at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP are here to help. To learn more, schedule a consultation with our team today.
What is the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)?
In Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is an independent trust agency that provides no-fault liability insurance and workers’ compensation to Ontario’s workplaces. Employers registered with the WSIB pay a monthly premium to receive protection in the event that one of their employees suffers an injury or illness on the job. Employees negatively affected by workplace incidents may be entitled to receive benefits paid out by the WSIB, which include wage loss benefits, medical coverage, and more.
How to File a WSIB Claim in Ontario
If you are injured in a work place incident or develop a work-related illness, you may be eligible for compensation through a WSIB claim. You must report your injury or illness to the WSIB by completing and submitting a Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease (Form 6) within 6 months of the date of your injury or diagnosis. Your employer must also record and report your injury or illness by filing an Employer’s Report of Injury/Disease (Form 7). You can access these forms on the WSIB website and file online or you can phone the WSIB toll-free at 1-800-387-0750.
In order for the WSIB to assess your claim and determine your eligibility for benefits, you may be required to provide details about your injury and other personal information including:
- How your injury or illness happened
- The type of injury or illness you experienced/are experiencing
- Your personal health care information
- Information about your return to work
- Changes in your injury/illness
- Whether you are receiving other forms of income (such as disability benefits)
- Whether your employment with your employer at the time of the incident has ended
- And more
Although WSIB forms are available online, working with an experienced work injury lawyer can ensure that your claim gets filed without errors or delay. Lawyers who have a detailed understanding of how the WSIB makes its decisions can better help you identify all potential sources for compensation in a work injury claim. At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, our Toronto work accident lawyers are here to help.
Benefits & Compensation
If the WSIB concludes that your workplace injury or illness has negatively affected your physical, psychological, or financial health, you may be entitled to compensation. The benefits you are eligible for will depend on the WSIB’s final decision regarding your claim and the nature of your workplace injury or illness. Benefits and compensation may include:
- Loss-of-earnings (LOE) benefits, which allow the WSIB to pay you up to 85% of your pre-injury take-home pay if you cannot work because of a work-related injury or illness
- Survivor benefits for spouses or dependents of a worker that has lost their life due to a work-place injury or illness
- Medical coverage and healthcare benefits, including professional treatment, prescription medicine, hospitalization, or emergency care
- Return-to-work services, to help facilitate accommodations or timing logistics during your transition back to work
- And more
In the case that your WSIB claim is denied, there are legal options available to you. With the assistance of an experienced work accident lawyer, you can appeal your claim before the Appeals Services Division or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal at the WSIB.
Filing a WSIB Claim in Ontario? Schedule a Consultation at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP
The process of filing a claim or appeal with the WSIB can be complex. At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, our Toronto work accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience working with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Whether you want insight into how the WSIB makes their decisions, or would like to know which benefits you’re eligible for, our lawyers can guide you through every step of your case. For more information about our legal services and how we can assist with your WSIB claim, contact our team today.
