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Policy amendment affects worker benefits
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- Complete resolution and policy amendment (PDF 59kb)
- FAQs
WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors recently approved a policy amendment that affects workers who were granted permanent disability benefits before June 30, 2002. Under the amendment, these workers will be compensated for any permanent changes in their permanent disabilities after June 30, 2002 based on 75 percent of their gross earnings — for life.
Since October 16, 2002, policy had provided that these workers would be entitled to compensation for any permanent changes in their permanent disabilities based on 90 percent of their net earnings until age 65. Following a recent judicial review, the Board of Directors amended Policy item #1.03 in the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual and directed that the amendments will apply retroactively to all decisions made on or after October 16, 2002. The policy now provides that permanent changes in these workers' permanent disabilities will be adjudicated under the law and policies in effect immediately prior to June 30, 2002.
In August, WorkSafeBC will begin reassessing the claims of workers whose entitlement has been affected by the amended policy. A WorkSafeBC team — with extensive expertise in the handling of claims — will be available to assist these workers.
If you are a worker who was entitled to a permanent disability award before June 30, 2002, and have experienced a permanent change in your permanent disability since that time, your benefit entitlement will likely be affected by this policy amendment. If you do not receive a letter from WorkSafeBC within the next two months, please contact WorkSafeBC.
For more information about the new policy, read the FAQs.