Workers' Compensation Referrals (7:App C)
A. Referrals
1. Unions
Unions provide more representation for injured workers than all other sources combined. If a worker was engaged in employment under a collective agreement when injured, his or her union or former union should be the first resource. Some unions will even help former members with claims arising out of injuries suffered in non-union employment.
Workers’ Advisors Offices (WAO)
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Lower Mainland Regional Offices:
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- This is the primary resource for non-union workers having difficulties with the Board. The advisors have direct access to the claim file and provide workers with detailed, confidential advice about the claim. They also offer very readable written information for claimants.
- The WAO only takes referrals by internet. Claimants must fill out the online inquiry form at the following website: https://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/wab/inquiry/. They will be contacted within 2 business days to set up a telephone appointment with an Intake Administrator.
Employers’ Advisors Office
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Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
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WCB Main Inspection Office
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WCB Fair Practices Office
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B. Resources
1. Print Resources
Heather MacDonald and Marguerite Mousseau. Workers’ Compensation in British Columbia, (LexisNexis Canada, 2009)
- A comprehensive overview of the workers' compensation system in British Columbia, written by two members of the WCAT, the senior appeal tribunal.
2. Internet Resources
WorkSafe BC
- The Board’s own site contains a wealth of material, including the complete Claims Manual, Appeal Division decisions (since January 1, 2000), the complete Reporter series of decisions, and most of the reports and documents listed above. It also has decisions of the old Appeal Division and the Review Division, and statistics and resources.
- A policy and legislation page is located at http://www.worksafebc.com/law_and_policy with links to an online version of the Act, recent amendments, and various policy and practice materials. This is the most practical way to research current policies and practices, including the Board’s two-volume compensation policy manual, which has the force of law.
==== Workers’ Advisor’s Office
- This site, which is part of the Ministry of Labour, contains excellent plain language summaries of the key aspects of the system written for the average claimant, and other material as well. This service is free for anyone who is not represented by a union.
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal Website: www.wcat.bc.ca This site provides information about WCAT and various aspects of Workers’Compensation appeal matters. The “How to Appeal” section provides information on how to appeal, enables access to various appeal forms and provides internet links to WCAT publications as well as other resources that