Difference between revisions of "Workers' Compensation Claim Benefits (7:XI)"

The Board has the right to supervise a worker’s treatment (Act, ss. 156-161 [Former Act, s. 21]) and to authorize any surgery. If a worker decides to undergo surgery or other treatment that is not authorized by the Board, the costs may not be paid, and if the injury is worsened by the treatment, benefits may be cut off or reduced. The Board usually agrees to pay for surgery recommended by the worker’s own doctor, but the doctor should ask for the Board Advisor’s approval. The Board often refuses to pay for drugs or physiotherapy considered unnecessary by its advisors. Medical Aid decisions can be appealed.

Although classified as vocational rehabilitation benefits (described below), income continuity benefits are payments to provide interim support for the worker after temporary wage loss benefits are terminated at plateau but before the amount of a permanent disability pension is determined. A worker’s advocate should always request these benefits as they are often the only source of income that a worker will have between the time the worker’s condition stabilizes and the time the pension benefits are assessed. These are short-term, temporary benefits.