Before submitting a claim

Federal employees must report all injuries or illnesses to their employer (usually to their supervisor). They should report the incident even if it does not appear serious, as a medical condition could develop over time. Employer records of the initial incident could help support a future claim.

Workers’ compensation benefits cover a number of injuries or illnesses, such as:

• physical injuries (for example, back injury caused by lifting, slipping, falling, etc.)
• psychological conditions (for example, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which may be caused by exposure to a traumatic event)
• occupational illnesses (for example, cancer that may be caused by exposure to hazardous substances)
• noise-induced hearing loss (for example, hearing damage caused by loud noises)

The provincial workers’ compensation board where the federal employee is usually employed adjudicates the claim, except:

• for employees who usually work in the Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut, their claims are adjudicated by the Alberta Workers' Compensation Board
• for employees who usually work outside Canada, their claims are adjudicated by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Workers’ compensation benefits coverage extends to:

• travelling for work or short-term assignment away from the usual workplace
• a worksite at a location other than the physical office space an employee is usually required to work at. This includes accommodations such as: remote work, a telework agreement, training, etc.