Ontario WSIB Lawyers

Helping Injured Workers Navigate the Ontario WSIB System.

A workplace injury can affect your health, income, ability to work, and future plans. While Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides benefits for eligible workers, the system can be challenging to navigate when a claim is denied, or benefits are reduced or terminated.

For over 30 years, Van Dyke Law has been helping injured workers understand their rights and navigate WSIB claims, disputes, and appeals. Our team can help you secure the compensation you deserve while supporting you during your recovery.

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What Is WSIB?

Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) handles workplace insurance claims for covered employers and workers and provides no-fault insurance benefits for eligible work-related injuries and illnesses. Depending on the circumstances, benefits may cover lost earnings, health care and rehabilitation, permanent impairments, return to work, and work-related fatalities. Disagreements can arise over whether an injury is work-related, the benefits a worker should receive, or their ability to return to work.

Who Is Covered by WSIB?

WSIB coverage applies to Ontario workers in many industries, including construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, municipal services, retail, and hospitality. However, not every worker, employer, or employment arrangement is covered. Eligibility depends on the workplace, industry, employment relationship, and circumstances of the injury.

If you’re uncertain if WSIB applies to you, we can review your circumstances and help you understand your options.

Common Workplace Injuries We Help With

Whether it happens suddenly in an accident or gradually over time through repeated physical demands or exposure to workplace conditions, Van Dyke Law can assist you with a wide range of injuries and illnesses, including:

  • Back and neck injuries
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Occupational illnesses
  • Hearing loss
  • Chronic pain
  • Psychological injuries
  • Traumatic mental stress
  • Fatal workplace accidents
Doctor reviewing a neck X-ray with an injured worker

Types of WSIB Benefits

Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, WSIB benefits may include:

  • Loss of Earnings (LOE) Benefits may replace a portion of employment income lost because of an eligible workplace injury or illness.
  • Health Care Benefits may cover approved treatment, rehabilitation, and other health care expenses related to the workplace injury.
  • Non-Economic Loss (NEL) Awards may provide compensation when a workplace injury or illness results in a permanent impairment.
  • Return-to-Work Support can help eligible workers return to safe and suitable employment after an injury.
  • Survivor Benefits may provide financial support to eligible family members following a work-related death.

WSIB claims may also involve chronic pain, mental stress, work reintegration, and other considerations.

Common Reasons WSIB Claims Are Denied

Receiving a WSIB denial can be frustrating. Common reasons for disputes or denials include:

  • Insufficient or conflicting medical evidence
  • Disagreement about whether an injury or illness is work-related
  • Reporting or filing issues
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Disagreement about the severity or ongoing effects of an injury
  • Return-to-work disputes
  • Employer objections or conflicting accounts of what happened

Appealing a WSIB Decision

If you disagree with a WSIB decision about your claim or benefits, you may be able to challenge it. Van Dyke Law can review the decision, gather supporting evidence, prepare legal arguments, and represent you during the appeal process. Because appeal deadlines may apply, seek advice early.

Can You Sue Instead of Filing a WSIB Claim?

Workers covered under WSIB generally cannot sue their covered employer for an injury arising from their employment. However, if a third party contributed to your accident, you may have the option to pursue a civil personal injury claim. In some cases, you will need to choose between receiving WSIB benefits or pursuing a lawsuit. Before deciding, contact Van Dyke Law to discuss the options available in your circumstances.

What To Do After a Workplace Injury

Taking a few practical steps after an accident can help properly document your injury and protect your ability to pursue available benefits.

  1. Report the injury: Tell your employer about your workplace injury or illness as soon as possible.
  2. Seek medical treatment: Obtain appropriate medical care and explain that your injury occurred at work.
  3. Document the workplace connection: Record the circumstances of your injury accurately.
  4. Keep your records: Save medical documentation, accident information, WSIB correspondence, and records of missed work.
  5. Complete the WSIB claims process: Submit required information promptly and retain copies. This may include WSIB Forms 6, 7, and 8.
  6. Seek legal advice when problems arise: Contact Van Dyke Law if WSIB denies, reduces, terminates, or disputes your claim or benefits.

How Van Dyke Law Can Help

Van Dyke Law provides one-on-one guidance and support to help you understand the insurance process and make informed decisions about your claim.

We can assist with:

  • Filing and reviewing WSIB claims
  • Understanding benefit entitlement
  • Gathering medical and workplace evidence
  • Addressing disputed or terminated benefits
  • Preparing objections and appeals
  • Advising on WSIB elections and potential third-party claims
  • Representing injured workers during appeal proceedings

Why Choose Van Dyke Law?

For more than 30 years, Frank Van Dyke has helped injured individuals across Ontario navigate WSIB claims and appeals with confidence. Clients receive personalized, one-on-one representation, free initial consultations, and quick response times. If your injury makes visiting an office difficult, we can also arrange home or hospital visits as needed.

A construction worker wearing a navy vest and red work pants kneels beside an injured colleague with a bandaged arm and head wound, providing aid in a partially constructed building with tools and a yellow hard hat scattered on the floor.

Serving Injured Workers Across Southern & Eastern Ontario

With main offices in Ottawa, Kingston, and Belleville, we assist injured workers throughout Southern and Eastern Ontario, including:

Depending on your circumstances, consultations may be available in person or virtually, with home and hospital visits available where needed.

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Obtaining Maximum Compensation for Our Clients

“I work hard to build trust with my clients, communicating regularly so that they know I have their back.”’

– Frank Van Dyke

Contact Van Dyke Law

If you’ve been hurt at work or are having trouble with a WSIB claim, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Van Dyke Law can review your circumstances, explain your options, and help you determine your next steps. Contact us for a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Review the decision carefully to understand why your claim was denied. Because deadlines may apply to challenging a decision, consider contacting us about your options to object or appeal.

Reporting, filing, and appeal deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances. Report a workplace injury to your employer as soon as possible and seek advice promptly if you are concerned about a deadline.

Workers covered by WSIB generally cannot sue their covered employer for a workplace injury. Different options may be available when another person or company contributed to your accident.

Van Dyke Law offers free initial consultations for injured workers. During your consultation, we can explain the legal fees that would apply to your particular matter.