Workers' Compensation Summary

Workers' Compensation Overview

• Learning Objectives

  • Historical roots of workers' compensation in Canada

  • Goals and methods of Workers' Compensation Boards (WCBs)

  • Issues in compensating for psychological conditions and occupational illnesses

  • Assessment methods of WCBs

• Opening Vignette

  • Workers' compensation resources available online for each Canadian jurisdiction.

  • AWCBC as a primary hub for WCB information in Canada.

• Definition of Workers' Compensation

  • Insurance acting under Parliament law to assist injured workers.

  • Provides benefits for treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation for lost earnings.

• Historical Roots

  • Originated in Germany (1884), established in Canada (1914).

  • Features a "no-fault" system, collective liability for employers, and less recourse to courts.

• Workers' Compensation System in Canada

  • Managed by WCBs.

  • Covers medical bills, compensation during recovery, pensions for permanent disabilities, and loss of earnings.

  • Regulations classify employers and determine worker classifications for benefits.

• Legislative Updates

  • Changes across provinces enhancing coverage (e.g., PTSD for emergency responders, psychological coverage).

• Compensation Rates and Methods

  • Primarily based on a percentage of net or average earnings.

  • Economic and non-economic loss considerations in compensation.

• Medical Aid and Incident Prevention

  • Workers compensated for earnings loss and functional capacity after injuries.

• Social Goals of Workers' Compensation

  • Prevent injuries and lessen psychological impacts.

  • Provide rehabilitation services, including vocational, physical, and social rehabilitation.

• Occupational Diseases and Workplace Stress

  • Include various diseases with defined latency periods.

  • Stress-related disabilities categorized by cause and condition type.

• WCB Claims Process

  • Involves information from employer, employee, and physician varying by jurisdiction.

• Assessments by WCBs

  • Employers assessed based on industry for collective payments and liabilities.

  • Use of injury frequency rates for safety performance benchmarking.

• Experience Rating

  • Insurance premium scheme based on employer's cost experience; safer firms pay lower premiums.

• Reporting Requirements

  • Employers must report injuries to the WCB within set timelines; noncompliance incurs penalties.

  • Employees must also report to initiate claims for compensation.