WCBs failing injured workers From D.M. Boyle, Straight Goods, Canada
Injured workers refer to the costs of workers losing their Compensation benefits as 'collateral damage.' The monetary cost may be bad enough but the collateral damage done to injured workers can only be described as vile and inhumane. One injured worker did his own study of what happens to workers with permanent injuries who get denied Workers Compensation. He discovered ghastly and shocking statistics: between 1999 and 2002 twelve of these workers took their own life due to pain arising from a work-related injury.
These workers cannot sue their employers; they cannot complain to the Human Rights Commission, they are not protected under the Canada Health Act. They can be misdiagnosed and mistreated. They are even discarded by their unions for not being able to keep up with the dues. There is a lot that needs to be done to improve the Workers Compensation system in this country, and all of us have a role to play to make that happen. Just because you get injured on the job doesn't mean that you have to suffer for the rest of your life.