All on-the-job injury claims in Ontario are handled by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Shockingly, a report by the Ontario Federation of Labour explains how some employers are receiving rebates or rewards on their workplace insurance despite workplace injuries. In some cases, the employer received rebates on their workplace insurance in excess of the fines the company incurred as a result of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) violation that caused the workplace injury to the employee.
Today more than ever, if you’ve been injured at work, you need legal help with your WSIB claim. The WSIB is an independent organization, overseen by the Ontario Ministry of Labour. However, it is funded 100% by employers, and critics allege that it is biased toward employers. Employers have been accused of paying inadequate premiums while employees suffer cuts in compensation and benefits. The IWAJ (Injured Workers Action for Justice), calling for fair worker’s compensation for injured employees, claims that the board has reduced benefits related to healthcare, such as payments for medications and doctor-prescribed medical devices.
Workers compensation lawyers in Toronto are hard to find – most firms avoid this kind of injury case. However, you can find years of experience in workers compensation at a small number of specialized firms, one of them being Goodman Law Group. They can preserve the injured employee’s rights and make sure all benefits are received in a timely fashion. Include a workers compensation lawyer from the beginning, as soon as you’ve been injured, to make sure all forms are filed on time, that the healthcare professionals receive the forms they need in order to complete the required paperwork, that reports from healthcare professionals are properly prepared and sent to the correct place, and that any appeal is handled correctly and efficiently.
All worker’s compensation claims must be filed within six months of the date of the injury, and all appeals must be made within 30 days to six months, depending on the type of decision. An experienced WSIB lawyer in Toronto is well aware of all the requirements. They keep an employee’s claim from being denied by understanding the process and following its rules and regulations, especially those that are not well known to the public. If you’ve missed your deadline to file or appeal, a legal advocate can guide you through the process of applying for a reconsideration or a time extension.
When you have knowledgeable legal representation on your side, it makes the difference between a rejection of your claim and your full, dignified recovery. WSIB lawyers in Toronto like those at Goodman can also help in return to work disputes. Too many employees are being returned to their jobs without fully recovering, or given downgraded, less physically demanding jobs while their injuries recover. These can all compound health issues by not letting employees recover completely from their injuries or access benefits like medications or physiotherapies. When you’ve been in a workplace accident, stand up to the board with great legal representation.