Workers’ compensation benefits (WCB) are insurance benefits that provide income replacement and medical/rehabilitation costs to workers injured or who become ill due to their job. This article will discuss the basics of WCB insurance, including who is covered, how benefits are paid out, and common disputes. We will also look at some tips for preventing workplace injuries in the first place.
Who Is Covered
Generally speaking, all workers in Alberta are covered by WCB insurance. This includes both full-time and part-time employees, contract workers, and self-employed individuals. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. For instance, certain types of workers are not covered by WCB insurance, including domestic workers (e.g., nannies, and housekeepers), federal government employees, members of the armed forces, and seasonal agricultural workers. If you’re unsure whether you’re covered by WCB insurance, you can contact your employer or the Workers’ Compensation Board directly.
How Are Benefits Paid Out?
Benefits under a WCB insurance policy are paid out in a few different ways, depending on the nature and severity of the injury or illness. For example, if you’re able to return to work but are still limited in your ability to perform certain tasks, you may be eligible for wage-loss benefits. These benefits are typically paid out until you can return to your pre-injury earnings level. If you’re unable to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits, which provide income replacement for a set period. Finally, if you die due to your workplace injury or illness, your beneficiaries may be eligible for death benefits.
What Are the Limits on Benefits?
It’s important to note that there are limits on the amount and duration of benefits you can receive. For instance, most provinces have a maximum amount that you can receive for wage-loss benefits. This limit is typically between 75% and 85% of your pre-injury earnings. There are also limits on the length of time you can collect certain types of benefits. For example, the maximum duration you can receive wage-loss benefits in Alberta is 104 weeks or two years. However, if your disability is Permanent or Partial (you’re able to return to work but with some restrictions), you may be eligible to continue receiving partial wage-loss benefits indefinitely.
What About Coverage for Psychological Injuries?
Historically, WCB coverage has been quite limited regarding mental health injuries. For example, in Alberta, the WCB will only cover psychological damages that are directly caused by a physical damage (e.g. you develop PTSD after being in a car accident). However, this is changing. Starting in January 2019, the WCB will start covering mental health injuries that are caused or aggravated by work (e.g., you develop anxiety from workplace stressors). This expanded coverage is still quite limited, though, and excludes pre-existing mental health conditions and chronic stress injuries (e.g. you developed depression from years of exposure to toxic chemicals at work).
To conclude, if you are injured at work or develop an illness due to your job, you may be eligible for WCB insurance. However, it is crucial to be aware of the limitations of this coverage. If you have any questions about whether or not you are covered, you should contact the WCB directly.