Questions:

  1. I’ve had problems in the injured area before. Does that prevent me from filing a claim? No! The goal of the claim is to help you get back to your pre-injury level of function. So if you had a prior shoulder injury where your range of motion was limited to 75%, then your range of motion would be considered restored when you reached that 75% level.
  2. Can I see my existing chiropractor or massage therapist for my WSIB injury? That depends. If your existing care team is registered with the WSIB, it should be as simple as advising them you had a work related injury. If they are not registered with the WSIB, then there may not be coverage on your claim for their services. Your case manager can let you know more, but if there is a WSIB registered provider in your area, you will likely be directed there, as they are familiar with the WSIB processes and paperwork, and are able to bill directly to the WSIB online.
  3. My injury was a couple of weeks ago and I thought it would get better, but it hasn’t. Can I still file a claim? Yes! Make sure you get assessed by a health care provider ASAP, and inform your employer of your symptoms. It make take a little longer for your claim to be approved, but the sooner you communicate with your employer and the WSIB, the sooner you can focus on your recovery. If your injury was a very long time ago, you may need to be patient.
  4. Can I have massage therapy for a work injury? YES! The WSIB focuses on offering evidence based therapies. the MSK POC has a focus on education, early activation and exercise as the mainstays of treatment. Passive care, such as massage therapy or acupuncture can be included if they support this goal. If your treatment is not funded in the POC, or is on a fee-for-service model, massage therapy would require specific approval from your case management team.
  5. I have a pre-planned vacation/had an illness during my approved treatment, do I just lose that time? NO! Your healthcare provider’s office can call and advise the WSIB of the gap, and in most cases, you will be allowed to access the full amount of approved weeks of care.
  6. My workplace said I can only come back if I’m “100%,” is that true? Most of the time, no. Workplaces are required to offer modified work if they are able, as participating in work related tasks is helpful to an injured worker’s recovery. Some environments cannot offer modified work, but most can, even if that work is not the same as the job the worker would usually do. Discuss what you CAN do safely with your healthcare providers, and the WSIB can facilitate a return to work plan that is safe and appropriate.

If I’ve had an injury, how would I get started? You call a clinic with providers who are registered with the WSIB.

Start here: https://www.wsib.ca/en/musculoskeletal-program-care-directory. Providers on this registry (including the chiropractors at MiltonBackDoc) are familiar with the WSIB and it’s processes. Or, call us at 905-864-9799 for your initial assessment.