On April 28, as we mourn for those killed on the job, we
must also remember those whose workplace-related deaths were
slow and agonizing. Most Canadians do not realize that if they
are seriously injured at work, their compensation is not
ensured.
Many seriously injured employees are simply refused
compensation and their subsequent physical, financial and
emotional suffering can be overwhelming.
When the workers compensation system refuses to pay for long term injuries, they do more harm to the employee and their family by thrusting them into a cycle of poverty and despair that can lead to death.
Some injured employees have even committed suicide.
But the long-term suffering of injured workers is no longer
the primary concern of the workers compensation system, which
has strayed from its original purpose over the last century. It
has increasingly downloaded its responsibilities onto the
worker's family and other social programs.
The Canadian Injured Workers Society is questioning the
functionality of the workers' compensation system as it exists
today in Canada.
As we mourn workplace deaths, the CIWS is calling for a
federal judicial inquiry into wrongdoing by workers
compensation boards across Canada.
Visit
www.ciws.ca
or
www.wcbcanada.com
  for more information.
Jane Edgett
President
Canadian Injured Workers Society