Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Prohibited Actions Relating to Occupational Health & Safety

Government of British Columbia

Explains that your employer or union cannot retaliate against you if you raise an occupational health and safety issue, refuse unsafe work, and more. It gives examples of some prohibited (retaliatory) actions. It also explains what you should do if you have a complaint, and the options for resolving your complaint.

Last reviewed March 2024
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Permanent Disability Awards

Government of British Columbia

Explains you may be eligible for permanent disability benefits if you had a work-related injury or illness that permanently impacted you or your ability to work. Topics include what to expect when you’re referred to Long Term Disability Services, and how the benefits are calculated.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Migrant Workers

People’s Law School

This page contains links to what you need to know if you’re preparing to work in BC, including the rights of caregivers and farm workers coming to BC. It explains the steps you need to take to work in BC temporarily, and to extend your work permit. It also includes the steps caregivers can take if they have a problem at work.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

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
Thumbnail of the first page of the chapter with a table of contents.

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 March 2024
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Long Term Wage Rate

Government of British Columbia

Explains the wage rate WorkSafeBC must set if a work-related injury or disease disables you from working for more than ten weeks. It explains how this long term wage rate is set, what counts as earnings, and what if you were at your job for less than 12 months. It also covers what to do if you disagree with WorkSafeBC’s long term wage rate.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

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
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Foreign Workers

Government of British Columbia

This is for workers who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada. It includes information about compensation claims, including what you should do if you’re injured at work, or develop a work-related disease. It explains how you make a claim with WorkSafeBC. It also explains workplace health and safety.

Last reviewed March 2024
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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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Factsheets (Workers’ Advisers Office)

Workers’ Advisers Office (Government of BC)

An alphabetical list of fact sheets about workers’ compensation. The fact sheets cover a range of topics from chronic pain to wage-loss benefits. A few are available in Chinese (traditional and simplified), Punjabi, and Spanish.

Last reviewed March 2024