Time Limits and Procedures in Workers' Compensation (7:X): Difference between revisions

* Monitors return-to-work.

* Accepts or rejects claims;

* Approves wage loss benefits, determines the initial wage rate, and terminates or reduces wage loss benefits;

* Generally, makes most decisions involving workers including whether to register the worker for vocational rehabilitation services and pension assessments.

* Works with the worker, employer, and union (if any) to get the worker back to work as soon as medically possible, perhaps to a modified job;

* Approves job retraining courses;

* Assesses a worker’s long-term employability, and the earnings they are considered capable of achieving after the worker has “maximized” their earning capacity in a suitable and available job.  This assessment is the core of the Disability Awards Officer’s decision concerning a Loss of Earnings pension.  While the decision is made by the Officer, who can reject the recommendation of the consultant, the consultant’s assessment is a crucial step in the pension process.

* Determines the degree of permanent disability on a physical impairment basis; for workers whose permanent disability is considered to have occurred on or after June 30, 2002, this will determine the pension in the great majority of cases.