One of the things we always emphasize with our clients is the need for vigilance and quick action in a situation where you are injured at work. It’s plain to see, if you take a minute to study the WSIB website, that you are obligated to report to them if an injury or illness caused at work prevents you from going to work. In addition, if you need to seek out medical attention beyond first aid, it is the responsibility of your employer to inform the WSIB of your accident as well.
If you end up having to appeal your WSIB claim because you are not getting what you feel is justly owed to you, a Goodman Elbassiouni LLP workers’ compensation lawyer in Toronto can help you through the process. However, if you do not have the proper documentation from the time of the accident, it will make it much more difficult to obtain said compensation.
Never Wait to Report Your Accident to the WSIB
It’s easy to imagine that these regulations and institutions will always protect us and provide us with fair representation and compensation when we are hurt and unable to work for a fair wage. However, even in Canada, this sort of idealism is simply naïve. The truth is that often your boss is looking out for the company, not you.
Companies do not necessarily want to compensate injured workers or even offer back-to-work programs for previously injured workers. It’s easy to foster a sense of trust with the institution that pays your wage, but you should always remember that your relationship with your employer is transactional, and at the end of the day, their eye is on the bottom line, rather than your well-being and quality of life.
The culture of the 20th century was very much a tough guy culture, in which men kept their heads down and didn’t complain. In the modern era, clear communication and openness have become more highly valued. Now, it’s important to be clear and up front if something is amiss.
If you’re working on a jobsite or in a warehouse setting and you or a fellow worker is injured, you can help them not only by encouraging them to report, but you can also help the culture of the workplace by drawing people’s attention to any safety problems that exist. With all of the technology and experience at our disposal, and with institutions such as the WSIB, everything should always be above board and transparent.
Injured on the Job? Goodman Elbassiouni LLP Can Help
Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, based in Toronto, has been working with clients of different ages, occupations, and backgrounds for decades. Over the years, we’ve noticed instances where old school construction workers suffer from repetitive strain injuries or vision or hearing impairment that is clearly a result of occupational hazards, but since there is no documentation of any of this, and because they never went to see a doctor, it is very difficult to make a case.
In the end, the financial well-being of your family could be at stake, so do the right thing and file a report when you are injured at work, even if it means checking your ego. If you need a lawyer to represent you, Goodman Elbassiouni LLP specializes in this area of law. Call us today for a free consultation.