Whitehorse Daily Star

Board told to reinstate the benefits of injured worker

The Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board has been told again it must reinstate the benefits of an injured worker who was cut off from help three years ago.

By Ashley Joannou on January 3, 2013

The Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board has been told again it must reinstate the benefits of an injured worker who was cut off from help three years ago.

The injury happened in 1995 when the man, now 54, was working as a hunting guide and was kicked on the hand by a horse. His name is not being released.

In June 2009, the man's benefits were cut off after an investigation by the board which included video surveillance.

Three years later, the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal overturned that decision, ruling that the board investigator was overstepping his authority by beginning surveillance two years after his claim was closed.

But the board asked the committee to review the case again. It claimed it did not consider all the evidence from the investigation and did not provide adequate reasons for its ruling.

But in its latest decision, released this week, the appeals tribunal comes to the same conclusion it did the first time.

It ruled the man, who now lives on a remote farm in northern Alberta, did not knowingly provide false information to the board, that he continues to suffer from a loss of earnings capacity, and that he is entitled to compensation back to 2009.

The 50-page document makes no reference to exactly how much the man is owed.

Representatives for the workers' compensation board insisted the tribunal did not take into account all of the evidence before making its decision.

They point to activities like using a pitch fork, opening doors, caring for horses and carrying wood as signs the man would be able to return to the type of work he did before his injury.

The tribunal disagrees.

It ruled that the evidence "does not offer proof to us, on the balance of probabilities, the worker can return to his pre-accident employment as a hunting guide,” the decision says.

"The video surveillance does not provide evidence the worker undertook any activities for a sustained length of time.”

The tribunal notes that the heaviest item the man is shown using is a 40-lb. box liner, which he drags, not lifts, for only a few seconds before having to put it down.

The board also argued that the original appeal tribunal showed "potential bias against the investigators.”

In the original decision, appeal committee did not give any weight to the investigator's statements.

They found that "the investigator did not follow the board's policy and conduct himself in a professional manner. His report is rife with conjecture, personal opinions and incorrect reporting,” they said at the time.

In the latest decision, the committee admits it could have worded things differently, but says it is within its right to analyze the investigator's reporting and conclusions.

Comments (6)

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Darren MacKay on Jan 9, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Many veterans and Injured workers in Canada are going bankrupt, homeless, in poverty, On Social Assistance and denied medical care-and, some unfortunately, end up in Jail, or commit suicide and murder.

Response from the Federal Government's MP Colin Fraser is that it is a Provincial matter- but they are going to make a commitment to VETERANS.
The Workers Comp Systems benefit WCB/WSIB EMPLOYEES, employers, lawyers, government and least of all the Injured Workers.
WCB/WSIB was created by the Federal Government - which they forfeited Injured workers rights to sue employers for compensation and medical care for their injuries.

What was once the "Meredith Principles" which the WCB/WSIB were based on (in Canada), now reads like a chapter of "Animal Farm".

Basic Laws (Thin Skull Rule) have been stripped from the Injured workers, and government has bestowed the rights of Injured workers, upon themselves- for which they fine and sue employers for profit.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3f9cTedk47wJ:injuredworkersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Backgrounder_NewBenefitsPolicies_2014_12pt.docx+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
WCB/WSIB use their own medical advisors and staff, - (some who have no expertise in the field of Medicine or law) to deny claims and downplay Injuries, to FORCE Injured workers back to work- which in many cases is against their family doctors and Independent Specialist's advice


"A November report by the Ontario Federation of Labor and advocacy groups alleged the board was systematically disregarding the advice of injured workers’ own physicians in favor of so-called “paper doctors” — physicians who review medical evidence on a workers’ file without even meeting them. "
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/07/10/wsib-stands-by-use-of-paper-doctors-after-calls-for-ombudsman-probe.html

Some Injured workers experience Additional Injuries through their dealing with the WCB/WSIB. WCB/WSIB avoid benefits by saying there is suitable work available, yet- this does not employ Injured workers; nor, does it pay the bills. WCB/WSIB considers an Injured workers Income for benefits- and takes into account, that if they were not working prior to their workplace Injury, they should not be entitled to income. They also have a "Deeming Policy" which if there is a job, then you will get imaginary income from your Imaginary Job which will be deducted from what you should have for lost income. LOST INCOME INDEED!

WCB/WSIB Employees get Big Bonuses to keep claims lower for the employers- and employers get lower experience ratings and rebated from Investments made by the WCB/WSIB from the Employers Premiums, whom are the Sole Shareholders- In this Non Profit Organization.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A5_UHkZ1hcA8J%3Anews.nationalpost.com%2Fnews%2Fcanada%2Fwell-compensated-head-of-alberta-workers-compensation-board-earned-almost-900k-last-year+&cd=181&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
Most workers that are permanently Injured fight appeals, for Benefits and Medical Care, for years with WCB/WSIB and most often they do not come. Many others give up because the appeals are exhaustive and they do not get proper and adequate representation.

The Workers Con Boards have FAILED MANY permanently and disabled Injured workers around the World. There are many permanently disabled and Injured workers and veterans looking for justice!
https://www.gopetition.com/petition/19942.html

MP Colin Fraser, was recently on the Radio Y-95 - Talk Show "The Weekender" (Jan/22/17), but would not address these issues (and I was disconnected TWICE and could not fully present all of this information)- and you suggested that I contact you in person; to discuss my personal issues-However- this should be a PUBLIC ISSUE.

Many of these things I talk about like lost wages/ Health Care and Benefits for Injured workers was supposed to be covered by employers and the premiums they pay - Under the WCB/WSIB SCHEME-and the "Meredith Principals- " NOT THE PUBLIC"! The "Meredith Principles" stated the injured worker should not be a burden on society!

Every injured worker whom is on Social Assistance or Disability Pensions, or receives Health Care/Medical Attention and Medication and is not able to work from their Work Related Injuries; if it is not being covered by WCB/WSIB;- as it is supposed to be covered by the W.C.B./W.S.I.B through Employer Premiums Paid is "FRAUD UPON the PUBLIC" . That was the "Historic Compromise" the Federal Government Legislated through "The Meredith Report" which WCB/WSIB was created. Yet; sadly many permanently and disabled Injured workers, are being mistreated and denied benefits and medical care through a BIAS and CORRUPT SYSTEM!

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bobby bitman on Jan 5, 2013 at 3:47 am

Kicked in the hand 18 years ago when he was 36 years old, and this person cannot adjust and find work? WCB is for replacing wages while a person transitions to new employment, or gets well enough to return to their original job. Just because buddy cannot be a hunting guide anymore does not mean that he can never work again or that WCB owes him wages for the rest of his life. My own mother received WCB for about 2 years while retraining for a new job after an on the job accident ended her very successful 20 year career as a nurse. She changed careers in mid-life. I have no sympathy for this 54 year old man who had 14 years of WCB, 14 years to retrain and find a new career, before he was cut off.

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Jackie Ward on Jan 5, 2013 at 12:46 am

Reading the comments here makes me laugh. The guy was obviously milking the system. Who cares if a doctor said something. Ever watch the Simpsons? Dr Nick Riveria? Lol. It's easy to convince a doctor about anything. Just repeat the lie over and over and they will eventually get sick and tired and side with the patient. And BTW: I speak that from personal experiences, so just don't dismiss it as just an opinion. If this guy could not work, he wouldn't of been caught doing what he was caught doing. Pull this guys benefits and make him repay every dime.

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AJCarter on Jan 4, 2013 at 7:50 am

I'm glad that the appeal panel recognizes that the medical assumptions of an investigator do not outweigh the conclusions of certified medical doctors. Seems rather frightening to know the board itself was not able to see that an investigator is not a doctor and opinions of a medical nature should come from a doctor. It would be similar to visiting the local RCMP detachment for a medical opinion ( I expect they would not provide one beyond see a doctor ). Three years without pay, must be difficult to maintain and knowing the decision was based upon a summary of an unqualified opinion, wow. I can understand justified investigations but there is a difference between a truth seeker and a story teller.

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Same-here on Jan 4, 2013 at 7:34 am

I agree with you, I am in the same boat. I was injured in an accident and they said there was nothing wrong with me. Gee, I do not know how they came to that when they never even met me. I suffer every day and it is now 6 years. They are suppose to be non-profit and they care about the people, b***-s***.

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just sayin' on Jan 3, 2013 at 10:05 am

I agree with the tribunal that just a glimpse of a person's life does not give the whole picture. At first glance I appear healthy too. All the things that I can do that makes me appear healthy to others comes at a big cost behind the scenes. For example, I can stack and chop wood for maybe 1/2 hour, but then I have to go into the house and rest/sleep for an hour or so. You can't take those necessary rest breaks at a workplace.

I hope that this gets resolved.

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