HEU encourages all members to file a WorkSafeBC (WSBC) claim when they've lost time at work due to COVID-19.
Be aware that employers should not discourage workers from filing a claim. If there is COVID-19 in your workplace you should file, even if you are not certain where you contracted it. Attempting to discourage someone from filing a claim violates the Workers’ Compensation Act.
When should I file a claim?
You should file a claim if you have evidence you had COVID-19 (eg, a positive test or COVID-19 symptoms), and you were exposed to a higher risk of COVID-19 at your workplace than the general public.
A higher risk could result from:
- Treating patients or caring for residents with COVID-19
- Regular, close interactions with the public in indoor spaces
- Insufficient PPE or a PPE failure
If you are unsure where you contracted COVID-19, and there is COVID-19 in your workplace, you should make a claim.
If you know you contracted COVID-19 from a community source like a family member or gathering, then you should not make a WSBC claim.
You also cannot make a WSBC claim if you are required to quarantine with no symptoms, or were off work for preventative reasons with no symptoms.
Claim suppression
Telling someone not to make a claim is called claim suppression. Claim suppression is a violation of Section 73 the Workers Compensation Act:
Employer or supervisor must not attempt to prevent reporting
73 An employer or supervisor must not, by agreement, threat, promise, inducement, persuasion or any other means, seek to discourage, impede or dissuade a worker of the employer, or a dependant of the worker, from reporting any of the following to the Board:
- an injury or allegation of injury, whether or not the injury occurred or is compensable under the compensation provisions;
- an illness, whether or not the illness exists or is an occupational disease compensable under the compensation provisions;
- a death, whether or not the death is compensable under the compensation provisions;
- a hazardous condition or allegation of a hazardous condition in any work to which the OHS provisions apply.
What are the benefits of filing a claim?
If your claim is accepted, your sick time will be reimbursed and health care costs will be covered by WSBC. If you experience long-COVID symptoms or long-term health effects, you will have a record of your claim and may be able to access further assistance.
How do I file a claim?
There are three different ways for you to file a claim:
- Call WorkSafeBC’s Teleclaim Service at 1-888-WORKERS
- Complete the online application form on WorkSafeBC.com
- Fax or mail the Application for Compensation and Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 6)
You must also report your injury or illness to your employer:
- Health Authority employees call the Workplace Health Call Centre at 1-866-922-9464
- Affiliate/Independent employees fill out an Incident/Injury Report. Ask your supervisor for the form.
You must apply for WorkSafeBC benefits yourself. Your employer cannot file a WorkSafeBC claim for you.
If your claim is denied or if your benefits are discontinued, HEU is here to help you!
If you need help in filing an appeal, please contact HEU’s WCB hotline at 604-456-7186 or
toll-free at 1-877-438-5550 or by email at benefits@heu.org.
HEU has created a step-by-step video guide to filing a COVID-related WorkSafeBC claim. The video is offered in English, Punjabi or Tagalog.