WCB Claim, Now What?

For most of us when we’re first involved with WCB, we often get a “deer in the headlights” moment.

This is the moment where questions arise and often the uncertainty from both you and your employee is: “AM I GETTING SCREWED?”

After 15 years of managing claims you can’t help but notice patterns. While the system is similar across each province in Canada, they are independently legislated which can create confusion for employers.

It’s usually the uncertainty of a situation that causes anxiety. For most of us we’re told WCB is something our company MUST have…but what it is and how it works is usually left a mystery for a variety of reasons.

This leads to conversations that can increase stress on all parties. The way to get rid of this uncertainty is to understand the principles of WCB vs. the WCB system itself.

When we understand and can apply principles, the process becomes much easier.

Here are a few things to consider when you’re facing a WCB claim:

1. Understand that regardless of the province, WCB is an insurance company. Their job is to provide you with protection from lawsuit in the event of a workplace injury.

2. Have the worker reviewed by a doctor. WCB uses medical to make decisions on a claim. Specifically, you want to know how the symptoms relate to the work accident.

3. Documentation! The better the documentation on file…the better decisions you will get on a claim. It’s documentation that WCB uses as evidence when they are making a decision.

Recommendation

It’s important to have a good claims package.

A claims package consists of documents that are used when your employee first reports symptoms.

It captures important information that can be used as evidence when managing or appealing a WCB claim.

For more information on how to create/get a claims package for your company, email anthonyb@wcbconsulting.ca or connect with Anthony on LinkedIn.

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