About
Demystifying the WCB.
Blue Collar exists to resolve predicaments related to workers’ compensation — for injured workers trying to get the benefits they’re owed, and for employers dealing with claims that have become costly or unmanageable.
Ben Barfett has spent nearly a decade working directly inside the workers’ compensation system. He has successfully represented clients at the Appeals Commission, the Dispute Resolution and Decision Review Body, and other provincial tribunals across Western Canada — with a number of those decisions published on CanLII.
Blue Collar’s continued growth has been driven by referrals, recommendations, and results.
Ben Barfett — Principal Consultant
Ben is an Alberta-based WCB advocate and disability management consultant whose work is grounded in formal education through the University of Fredericton, combined with extensive hands-on experience navigating claims, disputes, medical evidence issues, return-to-work planning, and appeal advocacy.
Over the years, Ben has provided disability management and advocacy services for large private sector organizations, unions, and public entities including school boards. He has represented clients across multiple Canadian jurisdictions, with successful outcomes at the Alberta Appeals Commission, the BC Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal, and other provincial bodies throughout Western Canada. Dozens of his appeal decisions are on the public record through CanLII — reflecting a consistent track record of overturning denials, reinstating benefits, and advancing claims that had stalled within the system.
Ben Barfett - Principal Consultant
Our resume includes senior management and executive leadership experience across a range of industries. And constructive engagement with administrative bodies such as the WCB is what we do best.
Blue Collar consultants hold an advanced designation in disability management from the University of Fredericton, as well as being certified by the American Petroleum Institute and the Canadian Welding Bureau.
Qualified Consultants
MOVING THE CHAINS
In sport as in business, success requires determination, teamwork, and a sound strategy. On the corporate gridiron, an expanding bureaucracy, economic challenges, and less-obvious threats like WCB uncertainties stand between you and the goal line.
Blue Collar’s assignment on your team is largely defensive in nature; that is, to protect against bureaucratic blitzes, boost your profits, and give you space to focus on more strategic matters. As a member of your team, BCC plays a specialized but crucial role.
MOUNTING OBLIGATIONS
More than ever, employers are required to accommodate, reinstate, & care for disabled workers. These obligations apply both to physical and mental disablement.
Courts and Commissions have increased the sum of damages awarded to people mentally injured at work by some 900% in recent years. Unfortunately, many employers will remain unaware of these legal requirements until confronted with a WCB claim, lawsuit, or complaint brought against them. BCC helps manage the risks that relate to WCB law.
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Your experience with WCB depends on the particular case worker assigned to a claim, their interpretation of policy and procedure, respective caseload, experience level, as well as current knowledge of changing legislation.
To control for these variables, we combine knowledge of workers’ comp policy with a creative and diplomatic approach to Board interaction. This collaborative strategy aims for consensus and reduces the role of chance and variability in claim outcomes.
Why manage disability?
- Supports injured worker
- Reduces exposure to lawsuits and complaints
- Less injury-related disruption to operations
- Uncovers hidden operating profits
