WCB says you can work — but are you actually employable?
Hypothetical fitness for work doesn’t mean anyone will hire you. When a disabled worker can’t return to their employer due to restrictions from a compensable injury, WCB follows its procedure manual. The Board first needs to determine the worker’s capabilities. They order a functional capacity evaluation (FCE), which assesses whether the person can safely return […]
When Does the Appeals Commission Compel Disclosure? A WCB Battle Sheds Light
In a recent case that pits a worker against his former supervisor, the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation once again finds itself at the center of an interesting legal debate. The worker’s allegations against his former female supervisor are serious, accusing her of falsifying WCB documents, committing WCB fraud, providing misleading information, and discriminating […]
Happy 65th Birthday! Your ELP benefit is now adjusted.
Facing the Shock of ELP Adjustment at Age 65 Imagine the moment: On the brink of what many envision as the golden years of retirement, you receive a letter that hits like a freight train. For many disabled workers, this letter from WCB, arriving as they approach or celebrate their 65th birthday, unveils a substantial […]
No WCB Lawyer in Calgary? Never fear.
Finding a WCB lawyer is next to impossible. Consider the alternatives. Embarking on the search for a WCB lawyer in Calgary can be driven by a myriad of pressing concerns. Perhaps you’ve encountered the sudden cessation of your WCB benefits, leaving you in a lurch and without explanation. Or, it might be that your wage-loss […]
A CPS Member’s Torturous path to WCB Benefits
Appealing for WCB benefits was 18 months in the making, but we won. I was more than relieved when the Appeals Commission decided in our favour, as was my client, a former detective with the Calgary Police Service (CPS) for over 20 years. Together we walked a long winding road to reach this point, and […]
WCB lawyer to the rescue?
WCB lawyer yes or no? To lawyer-up or not lawyer-up, that is the perennial question when a WCB claim teeters on the brink. And like the answer to every good question, the proper response to whether you need a WCB lawyer is: it depends. Deciding if you need a WCB lawyer might feel like figuring […]
Your WCB Concussion Claim: The Final Chapter
The torturous path to WCB claim acceptance for concussion injuries If you’ve been following along, the first two installments of this concussion series explored various types of brain injuries, the associated symptoms, and hinted at the obstacles to workers’ compensation benefits that these injuries often present. We’ve learned that when the head is subjected to […]
Concussion and WCB Part 2 of 3: Understanding the Symptoms
WCB struggles with concussion claims To describe the nebulous symptoms of a concussion as a constellation is entirely fitting. The term ‘constellation’ often evokes thoughts of deep space and cosmic mysteries. In the realm of astronomy, it refers to groupings or patterns, celestial bodies that come together to create an intelligible array or image, much […]
Concussion and WCB: TBI Series Part 1 of 3
Real Voices, Real Experiences “Car accident 5 years ago. Still not feeling myself. It was suggested to go back to work. Still can’t cope. My anxiety levels are high. I get upset very easily and I cry in front of others.” — Injured worker “Took me 3 years to recover from a concussion. Hardest part […]
Is pursuing WCB benefits worth it? We help you decide.
Is Pursuing WCB Benefits Worth It? We help you decide. There is a very natural human impulse to shy away from adversity, even when doing so costs a person dearly. When we feel ourselves falling prey to defeatism, we tend to rationalize, justify our inaction, yet deep down, we know the easy way is rarely […]