Dealing with a work-related injury or illness can be overwhelming. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can add to this challenge. Here are some tips to help you through the process.
Understand the benefits
Workers’ compensation is province-mandated insurance that can help pay for:
- Medical costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Other benefits
Meet your deadlines
Most provinces require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, each province has its own set of rules and regulations. Find out these requirements, especially any deadline you need to meet. Missing a deadline can jeopardize your benefits.
Most provinces have deadlines for:
- Reporting an injury or illness to an employer
- Filing a claim
Notify your employer promptly
Tell your employer about your injury or illness as soon as possible. Ideally, contact your employer before you see a doctor. If your injury or illness appears over time, such as a gradual onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, report your condition as soon as you start noticing symptoms. Of course, seek treatment immediately in an emergency.
File your claim on time
Your employer should provide the necessary forms and file the claim. Complete and return these forms within the proper time frames.
Get medical care
See a doctor as soon as possible. They will complete a medical report to file with your claim. In the case of an emergency, go to the closest emergency department.
Understand your rights
Know the rights you have, as well as the rights you’re giving up:
- In most cases, when you accept workers’ compensation, you’re giving up your right to sue your employer.
- If your claim is approved, you can accept the payment or try to negotiate a different settlement.
- If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision.
- You can’t be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
For more information about filing a workers’ compensation claim, talk with your employer, HR manager or your province’s workers’ compensation bureau.
