Claims FAQ for Employers

What type of injuries do I need to report to the WSCC?

Report if a worker:

  • needed medical aid;
  • cannot return to work the day that the injury occurred;
  • is unable to return to their job after the day of the injury;
  • loses consciousness; or
  • were exposed to a dangerous substance.          

(If any ONE of these instances apply.)

To report an incident, injury or dangerous occurrence you must complete and submit an Employer’s Report of Incident.

Employers must submit the fully-completed incident report within three business days, or will incur penalties as listed in the Workers’ Compensation Acts. Please note that to report an accident causing serious bodily injury or a dangerous occurrence, you must call the 24-hour Incident Reporting line at 1-800-661-0792 as soon as is reasonably possible and complete and submit the report within three business days.

 

What does the Workers’ Compensation system provide my injured worker?

When workers suffer a work-related injury or disease, they may receive:

  • Compensation for wages lost while recovering;
  • Medical costs such as prescriptions, prosthetic devices, specialized treatment;
  • Permanent disability awards (pensions); and
  • Rehabilitation.
How much does my worker receive for their lost wages?

We take a worker’s gross earnings, up to the Year’s Maximum Insurable Remuneration (YMIR), and deduct the equivalent of Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and computed tax payments. We pay 90 percent of that amount. When workers suffer a permanent disability, they receive a lifetime pension. The degree of disability and the worker’s annual income at the time of injury determine their pension amount.

What other costs does the WSCC pay?

If related to a worker’s injury, the WSCC may pay for hospital expenses, health care costs, prescriptions, rehabilitation, dental treatment, mobility aids, and eyeglasses. In addition, we may provide clothing, transportation, and living allowances.

Can I agree to pay my worker instead of having them file a claim with the WSCC?

No. 

This is fraud and is against the law. 

Note: If you continue to pay full salary to your worker while they are unable to work you must notify the WSCC. We reimburse you for the compensable amount.

When do my worker’s benefits begin?

Benefits begin with the first normal working day an injured worker misses following the day of incident. The WSCC issues payments every two weeks. 

Are WSCC benefits taxable?

Benefits are not taxable in Canada, and employers should not report them on a worker’s annual T4 statement of earnings. Benefits are included in the total income for some calculations. We issue T5007 information slips that workers include in their tax returns. Any amount that the WSCC reimburses you for worker benefits, must be deducted from their T4 amounts.

What is the Claims Management Program?

Workplace incidents and injuries are costly in actual workers’ compensation costs and lost workplace productivity. The WSCC’s Claims Management Program identifies steps employers can take to actively manage their claims costs.

Will Claims Management save me money?

Claims Management helps employers rehabilitate injured workers, retain skilled workers, reduce hiring costs, and train replacement workers. This helps minimize lost time and incident costs.

What incentives does the WSCC offer me to rehire rehabilitated or injured workers?

The WSCC may cover a worker’s wages during a job trial or provide partial wages during an on-the-job training program. We may also pay for work place modifications.

How does the claims process work?

The claims process determines the WSCC benefits workers can receive if they are hurt at work.

Benefits may include:

  • Compensation for wages lost while they recover from their work injury or disease;
  • Medical care and other non-financial benefits;
  • pensions; and
  • Other services like help to return to work, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket expenses.

The claims process has four steps:

  1. Information Gathering: Relevant reports from workers, employers, and health care providers are obtained.
  2. Claim Entitlement: the WSCC makes a decision on the claim.
  3. Benefit Calculation: if the WSCC accepts the claim, we calculate benefits.
  4. Ongoing Communication: the injured worker works closely with a WSCC Adjudicator or Case Manager throughout their recovery.