A change to The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 has been introduced which will expand workers’ compensation coverage to workers experiencing psychological injuries.
The amendment establishes a rebuttal presumption for all forms of psychological injuries, which means that it is presumed that a worker has a work-related injury and would not have to prove it occurred in the workplace.
“We are committed to protecting our workers, especially those who protect us,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said. “Many of the people experiencing psychological injuries such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are our first responders who are exposed to traumatic situations because of their jobs.”
To qualify for coverage a worker will need to provide a diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Until today, workers were required to provide additional proof that their psychological injury was work-related when filing their Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) claim to be eligible for compensation.
“We know the stigma attached to psychological injuries and illnesses often prevents people from getting help,” Morgan said. “By reducing barriers, our hope is that more people feel confident seeking support, including applying for benefits from the WCB.”
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