Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Like work-related incidents that cause physical injuries, exposure to work-related traumatic events can cause psychological injuries. For example:
To be entitled to compensation, a worker must be diagnosed with a trauma or stressor related disorder by a psychologist or psychiatrist following work-related exposure to a traumatic event. Traumatic events are defined as actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
If the above criteria are met, the WCB presumes that the diagnosed condition is work-related, unless proved otherwise.
If a claim for psychological injury is accepted, WCB may provide wage loss benefits and cover the costs associated with a variety of services and treatments, including assessments, therapy, counselling, medication, support for return to work, and more.
The WCB has a Psychological Care Process in place to support timely diagnosis and treatment of work-related psychological injuries which includes access to a psychologist and a network of counsellors.
It's important to remember that in all situations, a worker has six months to file a claim for compensation from the date of exposure to a traumatic event. The date of exposure is the date of the accident.
If exposure to traumatic events occurs over a period of time (cumulative exposure), the date of the incident is the earlier of:
Click HERE to start filing your claim.
Psychological Injuries from Traumatic Events
Like work-related incidents that cause physical injuries, exposure to work-related traumatic events can cause psychological injuries. For example:
- A paramedic responding to serious accidents throughout their career.
- A construction worker who witnesses a serious fall.
- A security guard who was violently attacked during a recent shift.
To be entitled to compensation, a worker must be diagnosed with a trauma or stressor related disorder by a psychologist or psychiatrist following work-related exposure to a traumatic event. Traumatic events are defined as actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
If the above criteria are met, the WCB presumes that the diagnosed condition is work-related, unless proved otherwise.
If a claim for psychological injury is accepted, WCB may provide wage loss benefits and cover the costs associated with a variety of services and treatments, including assessments, therapy, counselling, medication, support for return to work, and more.
The WCB has a Psychological Care Process in place to support timely diagnosis and treatment of work-related psychological injuries which includes access to a psychologist and a network of counsellors.
It's important to remember that in all situations, a worker has six months to file a claim for compensation from the date of exposure to a traumatic event. The date of exposure is the date of the accident.
If exposure to traumatic events occurs over a period of time (cumulative exposure), the date of the incident is the earlier of:
- The date a loss of earnings first occurs
- The date the worker reports the injury as work-related to their employer, health care provider or the WCB.
Click HERE to start filing your claim.
