What is a work-related injury or disease?
A work-related injury or disease is one that arises out of and in the course of employment or is due to the nature of employment. To be covered by WorkSafeBC a worker must have been working when hurt, and the injury must have been caused by something to do with the job in order to be covered by WorkSafeBC. For a disease, this means that the disease contracted must be caused by the work or the work environment in order to be covered by WorkSafeBC.
Any injury or illness “arising out of or in the course of employment”, will attract workers compensation, including: • work-related diseases • work-related injury • work-related aggravation or the acceleration of a work-related injury or disease • related mental trauma and stress illnesses are also increasingly being allowed, eg, a NSW worker recently obtained workers compensation for a heart attack suffered on the weekend • medical and other related costs Checklist Step 1: An employee incapacitated by a work-related injury should notify his/her employer. Step 2: The employer completes and lodges a claim with the insurer. Step 3: The insurer accepts or contests liability. Step 4: If liability is accepted, payment is made to the employee from the time of the incapacity Step 5: If liability is contested, the employee should contact his/her union in order to bring the matter before a relevant court or tribunal. Step 6: If the employee is not a member of a union then assistance should be s
