Workers’ compensation

Last reviewed March 2024 by the Clicklaw editors

Experiencing a workplace injury or illness can be distressing and challenging. Whether you’ve been injured on the job or have a work-related health issue, it’s important to know about the available benefits and support. Learn how to apply for workers’ compensation, and what you can do if your claim is denied.

Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.

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Federal Workers’ Compensation Service

Government of Canada
The FWCS processes compensation claims submitted by federal employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness. The page links to compensation for federal workers, merchant seamen, survivors of employees slain on duty, locally engaged foreign citizens, federal inmates, and more. It includes information on how to track claims data.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Solution Explorer: Small Claims

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
The Solution Explorer is the first step in the online Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) process, with free legal information and self-help tools. You can apply to the CRT for small claims dispute resolution right from the Solution Explorer.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Making a Claim for Workers’ Compensation

People’s Law School
Explains how workers’ compensation works, and who can get it, explaining the range of injuries and illnesses. It describes the benefits you might be entitled to if you suffer a temporary disability, or are permanently disabled, and the benefits for families of workers. It explains the steps you need to take to make a claim.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Appeal a Decision

Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT)
Information about the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT) process, where you appeal a decision made by WorkSafeBC. It explains how to start and prepare an appeal, respond to an appeal, and find out an appeal’s status, and what happens after an appeal.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Reviews and Appeals (WorkSafeBC)

Workers’ Advisers Office (Government of BC)
A fact sheet about your options if you disagree with a WorkSafeBC decision about your claim. You will deal with the Review Division or the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT), and there are specific deadlines.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Extension of Time Applications (WCAT)

Government of British Columbia
This fact sheet explains what happens if your review or appeal is filed late, what steps you need to take to start a late review or appeal, what you should put in your extension of time application, what counts as special circumstances, what counts as injustice, what other factors may be considered, and what happens next.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Late Applications for Workers’ Compensation

Government of British Columbia
Explains how to apply for workers’ compensation. The page explains how much time you have to apply, what happens if you apply after more than a year, and what special circumstances WorkSafeBC considers. It covers when your benefits will start, what happens if there’s new medical evidence, and what happens if your claim is rejected.
Last reviewed March 2024
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LSLAP Manual: Workers’ Compensation

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on workers’ compensation is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It provides an overview of the law relating to compensation for workplace injuries or illness, and describes the claims and appeal procedure.
Last reviewed September 2024