Workplace Safety and Insurance

We have industry leading experience providing clients with education, assistance, management and representation in all Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (“WSIAT”) matters and related adjudication.

We have strong relationships with WSIB personnel, particularly with front line Case Managers, which assists clients to obtain the maximum level of co-operation. We are also regularly asked to serve as keynote speakers in leading employment and labour relations conferences on the topic of workplace safety and insurance, and publish on a variety of related issues.

We know from experience the consequences of poorly managed claims under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act can have a significant impact on an organization’s workplace, experience rating and, ultimately, adversely affect its financial interests. We also know the WSIB has recently increased its emphasis on returning injured workers to their pre-injury employers. This has resulted in increased proactive communication from the WSIB and increased pressure on pre-injury employers to find suitable employment for an injured worker. In our view, this pressure will only increase.

We work with employers to ensure all workplace injuries are managed in a timely manner to minimize the associated costs of WSIB claims. This may involve ensuring the employee is provided with a suitable modified work program, which is different from accommodation in the human rights realm. Common issues include (but are not limited to):

Compulsory and voluntary registration
Compliance audits
Accident investigation and reporting
Developing suitable modified work programs
Early and safe return to work and re-employment obligations
Employee compensation claims and reintegration programs
Rate group classification

We also work with our clients to ensure they are in the best position to:

Effectively challenge a WSIB claim from the outset if there is a credible basis to do so (including any necessary appeals)
Fully understand the client’s own obligations, as well as those of other workplace parties, including the injured worker
Have in place a robust and defensible return to work program, as well as strong health and safety policies and programs to avoid workplace injuries and their accompanying expenses