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)

Online Website

Lower Mainland Regional Offices:

Address 500-8100 Granville Avenue Richmond, BC V6Y 3T6 Phone (604) 713-0360 Toll-free within BC: 1-800-663-4261 Fax: (604) 713-0311

Address 204 - 32555 Simon Avenue Abbotsford, BC V2T 4Y2 Phone (604) 870-5488 Toll-free: 1-888-295-7781 Fax: (604) 870-5494

• 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

Online Website Phone (604) 713-0303 Toll-free within BC and Alberta: 1-800-925-2233 Fax: (604) 713-0345

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)

Online Website Address 300 – 1140 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1 Phone (604) 685-3425 Fax: (604) 685-7611 Toll-free: 1-888-685-6222

WCB Main Inspection Office

Online Address 6951 Westminster Highway Richmond, BC V7C 1C6 Phone (604) 273-2266 Toll-free (outside Vancouver): 1-800-661-2112

WCB Fair Practices Office

Online Address Street Address: 6951 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC V7C 1C6 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5350 Stn. Terminal, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L5 Phone (604) 276-3053 Fax (604) 276-3103

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

• 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 can assist in the appeal process. It also contains WCAT decisions, as well as forms required for appeal.

3. Organizations

Workers’ Compensation Advocacy Group

Online Address 300 - 1140 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1 Phone (604) 685-3425 Fax: (604) 685-7611

PovNet’s wcb-bc Email List

• For more information, contact Jim Sayre at jsayre@clasbc.net, or Penny Goldsmith at penny@povnet.org.
• PovNet sponsors an interactive, confidential email list for workers’ advocates. The list enables members to post questions and information about WCB cases and matters, and to respond to other members’ postings.

BC Federation of Labour

Online Website Address # 200-5118 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 4H1 Phone (604) 430-1420 Fax: (604) 430-5917

Canadian Injured Workers Society

• The Society was formed in 2005 by a group of injured Canadian employees and their family members that was interested in improving the workers compensation system in Canada. The Society is a non-profit corporation registered with Corporations Canada. The website is no longer updated however the archived resources may be useful.

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