Medical Tourism & WCB Benefits
Our healthcare system in disarray, a growing number of Canadians, including those seeking WCB benefits, are resorting to medical tourism. Perhaps no feature of Canadian life is more fundamental to our national identity than that of universal healthcare. Since the Saskatchewan Government, led by leader Tommy Douglas, introduced the first provincial hospital insurance program In […]
WCB retraining should be approached with caution
For many injured workers, eligibility for WCB-sponsored retraining would have them champing at the bit. And indeed, by all appearances, the fruits of no-cost retraining seem utterly delectable. And in some cases, higher education certainly opens doors for disabled workers that would otherwise remain sealed. So why wouldn’t claimants naturally line up for WCB retraining […]
What is carpal tunnel and will WCB cover it?
Changing attitudes within WCB are seeing more carpal tunnel claims denied. A reader wrote recently about WCB’s refusal to compensate her carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). She believes that decades spent in a clerical role contributed to debilitating bilateral wrist pain. She is anxious and wonders whether the Board’s decision is appealable. Unfortunately for her, WCB’s […]
WCB claim caused by scooping ice cream
Owner of an ice cream franchise wonders how to reduce the WCB impacts of poor ergonomics (Q) I’m a franchisee of a very popular ice cream chain who’s dealing with multiple WCB claims. Business is booming during this heat wave, but it’s causing other problems. My workers are in their teens and early twenties, but […]
WCB lawyer or WCB advocate? Your FAQs answered
What’s a WCB advocate? Is an advocate the same as a WCB lawyer? Is Blue Collar paid by WCB? Today’s installment addresses these and other common queries. Today we address a number of frequently asked questions to help cut through the confusion. First off, a WCB advocate (aka WCB representative) refers to an individual, or […]
Freak events inflating your WCB premiums?
Company with strong safety record suffers a series of fluky incidents — and wonders how to control the damage. (Q) We’ve had an almost comical run of bad luck where I work. And what’s ironic is that our HSE protocols are probably overkill, e.g., safety posters plastered everywhere, biweekly safety newsletters, safety meetings, safety bulletins, […]
A summer student is injured on campus. Is he covered by WCB?
Students who have an incident, injury, or accident on campus or during their work-integrated learning experience must report it. (Q) Hi Ben, I’m a full-time undergrad who participates in a work-experience program on campus. Most times the work tasks relate to the field I’m specializing in. Other times I perform odd jobs like painting, grass-cutting, […]
How employment status impacts WCB benefits
Lacking an employment contract? Then be prepared for WCB to decide whether a worker is temporary or permanent. A young ironworker loses a limb when a piece of machinery falls from above. His only comfort during the darkest days of life is the knowledge that he’s covered under WCB. But he’s overcome by a wave […]
WCB gives benefit of doubt to 10 minute IME
Injured worker’s herniated disc overlooked during a cursory independent medical examination (Q) For years my own doctor has sat with me in his office while he typed his observations into an electronic health record on his computer. He would turn sideways to talk with me, then look back at his screen. He typically looked at […]
Medical clearance for modified duties
WCB recommends clearance. But in every case? “Can I bring my guy back without a greenlight from a doctor?” It’s a question employers everywhere are wrestling with behind closed doors. At first blush, the obvious answer would seem to be an emphatic No — as in, under no circumstances should an injured employee ever return […]