WCB Updated Policy & Procedure: Psychological Injuries

WCB Updated Policy & Procedure: Psychological Injuries

The WCB has approved their internal policies and procedures brought about by the change to legislation regarding psychological injury claims.

Based on the new policy and procedure, a psychological injury is now presumed to be an injury that arose out of and in the course of the worker’s employment if:

• The worker is, or the former, was exposed to a traumatic event
• The traumatic event arose out of and in the course of employment
• The traumatic event has caused the worker or former worker to suffer a psychological disorder that is diagnosed in accordance with the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 which is prescribed by our Miscellaneous Regulations).
• The psychological disorder is diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist licensed to practice and make diagnoses.

Any psychological injury that resulted from a traumatic event at work may be covered regardless of when the event occurred.  If a psychological injury claim was previously denied under former legislation, a worker can request WCB to reconsider the original decision.

For more information, see the WCB Fact Sheet here.

Questions? Concerns? Panic?  Contact us for more information and for resources on how you can adapt and modify your existing programs to work with the new legislation and procedures regarding Psychological Injuries.