Workers' Compensation

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Richard Johnson, Ascent Employment Law and Sara Hanson, Moore Edgar Lyster LLP in November 2024.

Getting hurt or ill on the job not only impacts your health, but can leave you without a source of income. That’s where British Columbia’s workers’ compensation program comes in.

Common questions

What type of injuries and illnesses are covered by workers’ compensation?

The program covers a wide range of occupational injuries and illnesses, including:

• physical injuries, such as a broken bone, burn, or concussion
• diseases, such as cancer or a respiratory disease like asbestosis
• psychological injuries (the law uses the term mental disorders), such as diagnosed anxiety caused by harassment or some other traumatizing incident at work

For your claim to be successful, the injury or illness must have arisen out of and in the course of your employment.

For more, see our in-depth coverage.

What do I do if I get injured at work?

First, report the injury to your employer right away. They’re responsible for getting you any necessary first aid and taking you to a medical facility (if needed).

Second, see your physician. Your doctor will recommend treatment, and may refer you to another health care practitioner. Ask them if there are modified work duties you can continue during your recovery. Make sure to let your health care providers know you were injured at work.

Third, start a claim for workers’ compensation. This is a BC government program that compensates workers who suffer a workplace injury or illness. We have in-depth coverage of making a claim for workers’ compensation.

If my workers’ compensation claim is accepted, what do I receive?

WorkSafeBC — the agency that runs BC’s workers’ compensation program — offers a variety of benefits and services to those who are eligible. Depending on the nature of injury or illness, you could receive:

• health care benefits and services, to cover the cost of health care services and supplies considered reasonably necessary to treat your injury or illness
• wage-loss benefits, to compensate you if you lose pay as a result of your injury or illness
• vocational rehabilitation services, a collaborative process to help you safely transition back to the job you were doing
• permanent disability benefits, to compensate you if your disability is likely to impair your future earning capacity

If you had a condition that predated the workplace injury, workers’ compensation only covers you for the problems caused specifically by the workplace injury.

We explain each type of benefit in our guidance on making a claim for workers’ compensation.

I’m self-employed. Am I eligible for workers’ compensation?

In BC, there’s no requirement for self-employed workers to register for coverage under the workers’ compensation program. But if you’re self-employed, you may be able to purchase optional coverage. This would cover your lost salary and medical expenses if you’re injured on the job.

The WorkSafeBC website explains how to apply for optional coverage.

I got fired after returning to work from an injury. Is that allowed?

There are two ways in which this may not be allowed. First, if your employer has more than 20 workers and you were in the job for at least 12 months before your injury, your employer has a duty to maintain your employment. If the employer fires you within six months after you return to work, the law assumes the employer failed to meet this duty. The employer can counter this by showing the dismissal wasn’t related to your injury. If you have concerns, you can ask WorkSafeBC to investigate.

The second way this may not be allowed is if it amounts to discrimination. Under BC’s human rights law, your employer can’t mistreat you based on a personal characteristic that the law protects. If you think your employer fired you due to your disability, that could be discrimination.

For more on these points, see our in-depth guidance.

Who can help

With a claim

WorkSafeBC

Deals with complaints about unsafe working conditions and injuries on the job.

Call 1-888-967-5377

Visit website

Workers’ Advisers Office

A government office that helps workers with claims for workers’ compensation benefits. They are separate from WorkSafeBC and there’s no charge for their services.

Call 1-800-663-4261

Visit website