On February 3, 2021 I had the pleasure of speaking to the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association in a webinar. The following are the notes from the presentation as a quick reference.
Specifically:
- A New Way to Look at the Workers Compensation System
- 3 Things You Can Do to Simplify Claims Management TODAY!
- 3 Elements I Use to Help me Win in any WCB Appeal
Regardless of the province you’re working in, the principles and suggestions will apply to you whether you’re dealing with: WCB, WSIB, or Worksafe.
If you’re looking for detailed answers and don’t want to wait, then check out our online programs you can find here.
Within a few minutes you can have access to:
- Step-by-step instructions to WCB claims management and appeals.
- Videos to walk you through and explain all elements of WCB
- Downloadable templates to implement in your company
- Articles and blogs
- Access to new content as it’s created
- As a member we guarantee you an answer to all of your WCB questions.
SCSA WEBINAR NOTES
When it comes to worker’s compensation you are either:
- Appealing a WCB claim
- Managing a WCB claim
Being able to organize and recognize the difference between the two is key.
WHAT IS WCB?
In Canada, WCB acts as an insurance company which has been legislated to protect workers and employers in case of a workplace injury.
When you think of it as an insurance company it helps get rid of stress and anxiety thinking it’s a major government entity.
How is it like an Insurance Company?
You pay a premium to protect from a loss. In turn WCB has a policy they refer to in the event of a claim that says what they will pay and when.
The more accidents or risk, the higher your premiums.
3 Things You Can Do to Simplify Claims Management TODAY!
If you’ve ever had to deal with a WCB claim, you’ll know the frustration, panic, and concern that enters a company. It interrupts the daily flow, and often there are more questions than answers.
With claims that involve serious injury, emotions run high and cause strain on the employer / employee relationship.
Does any of this sound familiar?
While managing claims can feel overwhelming, these suggestions are designed to help you simplify the claims management process.
Regardless of your experience managing or appealing WCB claims, these suggestions can be implemented today!
- Get a claims package!
It amazes me how often I work with a company and they are missing key documents in case of a WCB claim.
How do you fill out these documents? Is often a question I get.
Documents ARE EVIDENCE!
Having a good claims package will provide key information in the right time regardless of your situation.
It will provide the evidence and information you need to do your job properly and with as little stress as possible.
For more information on getting a claims package, contact us. - Get your OWN doctor!
Have you had a worker that was injured, but not enough to go to the hospital? Yet, it was a situation they should be assessed?
What about a worker that wanted to go see their own doctor, but you were concerned they would get 2 weeks off of work?
Having your own doctor, and a process to have your worker seen by them is crucial to WCB claims management and appeals.
HOW?
Speak with the clinics in your area and advise them that you’re looking for a doctor that is willing to see your worker in case of an injury that doesn’t require hospitalization.
Tell the clinic about your paper work and modified program.
In some cases, you may have to provide a fee to the clinic for this service, but the benefits outweigh the costs.
Having your own doctor will help you:
- Get Faster treatment for your worker
- Get x-rays, MRI’s, and other diagnostics done quickly
- Prevent time-loss claims and encourage return to modified duties
- Decrease claims costs and statistics
- Learn to use WCB’s resources to your advantage.
Have you ever wondered where to find the information WCB uses to make decisions?
The truth is…it’s hiding right in front of you!
The WCB website provides a tonne of information you can use to manage and appeal WCB claim.
Regardless of the province you’re in, knowing where you can go on the WCB website to find WCB’s Policies will help you tremendously.
Take time out of your day to familiarize yourself with the WCB website.
You want to know:
- How to use the search feature within the site
- Where to find the WCB policy on the website
- Explore the EMPLOYERS tab on the website for additional information
If you implement just ONE of these suggestions, you’ll see a dramatic impact on you ability to manage WCB claims yourself.
If at anytime you have questions, you can use one of our online programs as a guide or email our team for a response by contacting us.
3 Elements I Use to Help me Win in any WCB Appeal
In some situations, you will have suspicions about the truth of your worker’s claim.
Maybe WCB accepted a claim that you thought should be denied.
Perhaps the worker’s relationship with your company has been less than good. That the way they describe their symptoms leads you to believe it’s because of something non-work related.
In any of these you could find yourself heading to appeals.
While a WCB appeal can be a lengthy process, these are the things I consider before initiating an appeal with WCB.
AVOIDING THESE STEPS COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON YOUR APPEAL!
The 3 Elements are:
- Build a great TIMELINE!
A worker contacts you and tells you they got hurt at work. They give you some details of the event and how they got injured, but there are parts of it that doesn’t make sense.
Paperwork starts to come in and is piling up on your desk…phone calls…emails…
How do you make sense of a WCB claim?
It’s important to begin by creating a timeline of events. Doing so will tell the story of what happened and when it happened.
When you start with a timeline you can find the gaps or areas where you should get better evidence to support your position.
A good timeline also helps WCB follow your thinking process, and come to the same logical conclusion as you did.
This can dramatically improve your chances because your argument will be clear and to the point. - Wait until a decision is finally made!
There may be a situation where you think a worker’s claim for a WCB injury should be denied RIGHT NOW!
You get on the phone and want WCB to appeal the claim before the paperwork is even sent.
I have been there.
The truth is, it’s always best to let WCB make the decision first.
Start by telling the person making the decision that you don’t agree, and some of the concerns you have. Explain the evidence you have to support your position.
This is usually done over the phone when all the information has been sent to file.
Then wait for a decision.
Once you get the decision, and it’s not what you wanted, find out what you can about the decision and put your appeal in writing.
This will help you get the information you need to know, so you can create your appeal.
3. Become Sherlock Holmes!
WCB made the decision…you don’t agree…and now you want to appeal.
What are you appealing? The fact the claim was accepted?
That may not be enough.
When a claim decision doesn’t go in your favor, you want to become Sherlock Holmes on that phone call.
You want to ask the decision maker
- How did you come to this decision?
- Pay attention to the evidence they are telling you they considered.
- If they don’t tell you the evidence then ask them:
“What evidence did you consider when making your decision?”
- If they don’t tell you the evidence then ask them:
- Pay attention to the evidence they are telling you they considered.
- What policy did you use to make the decision?
- The policy tells you what is accepted and not accepted by WCB.
- It will also tell you when something is paid or not paid.
- Knowing which policy helps you see what information you may need to get to have WCB look at things the way you want.
HOW TO SIMPLIFY WCB CLAIMS AND APPEALS EVEN MORE?
If you want step by step information on how to write a WCB appeal letter.
If you want to now what to do at every phase of the claims management process.
The online programs we offer are guaranteed to provide you with the answers you seek!
Our goal is to empower you with confidence using our simplified approach to WCB claims management and appeals.
Our program works for:
- Every company size
- Every Province
- Every Industry
All across Canada and internationally, businesses have seen the benefits and savings our online programs offer.
We offer an online course that walks you through every step of the appeals process. To check out the course details click on the link for: How to effectively appeal a Workers Compensation (WCB) claim and win!