What happens if I am injured while working in Nova Scotia?
This information is geared towards migrant workers in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
This information was last updated on April 21, 2025
Workplace Injuries
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is the province’s provider of workplace injury insurance. You may be eligible for benefits if you have an illness or injury related to work.
Am I eligible for WCB benefits?
Most employers in Nova Scotia are required by law, through the Workers' Compensation Act and Regulations, to register their company with the WCB and provide WCB coverage for their employees. The list of Non-Mandatory Industries, for which WCB is not required can be found here: https://www.novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/wocgen.htm#TOC3_3
If you are unsure whether your industry is included, contact WCB.
WCB coverage is generally not mandatory for farm owners and operators in Nova Scotia, except for Christmas tree growers. However, under the 2025 SAWP contract for Caribbean and Mexican workers, employers must ensure that workers are covered for injury or illness through provincial health insurance, workplace safety insurance, or private health insurance—at no cost to the worker.
How do I report an Injury?
All injuries should be reported to WCB even if they do not require time off work. When an injury occurs, employers must report it to WCB within 5 business days to be assessed.
Ideally, the employer and employee should complete the injury report together. If this did not happen, you can download an Injury Report Form on your own from the WCB website, complete it and submit it: https://wcb.ns.ca/Workplace-Injury-Insurance/Report-an-Injury.aspx
The Injury Report can be faxed, mailed or delivered to a WCB office. WCB can offer translation services if they are requested.
If you have a serious injury or incident, which endangers your life or causes permanent injury, your employer must notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division at the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
What happens next?
Once your claim is submitted, a WCB case worker will review it and you will be assigned a claim number. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision by advising the case worker.
If your claim is approved, you may be eligible for treatment and Temporary Earnings Replacement Benefits (TERB) if you are not able to work. If you return to your home country and require ongoing treatment for your injury, WCB may be able to reimburse you for your treatment.
How are benefits calculated?
TERBs are calculated based on what you were earning at the time of your injury. If you are off work due to your injury for more than 26 weeks, the calculation is based on what you would normally earn in a year, including income when you are not in Canada. If you are not able to return to work long term, you may qualify for a different kind of benefit depending on your situation.
How are benefits paid?
Benefit payments and reimbursement for medical appointments, therapy, prescription medication, etc. can be made through cheque, money order or direct deposit into a Canadian bank account.
How do I contact WCB?
Once you have a claim number, you can register with WCB for an online account to access information about your file and communicate directly with your caseworker. Register for your account at https://onlineservices.wcb.ns.ca/workers. You must include your claim number, if available, when you contact WCB by telephone or fax.
Telephone: 1-800-870-3331 (toll free in Nova Scotia) or +1-902-491-8999.
Fax: 1-902-491-8001.
Mailing address: WCB Nova Scotia PO Box 1150 Halifax, NS B3J 2Y2
Need Support?
If you are seeking support to file or follow up on a WCB claim, you can contact the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia (CMWR NS), which offers free and confidential support in English and Spanish.
Contact CMWR NS through WhatsApp +1 (902) 329-9595
References
Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Contract for the employment in Canada of Commonwealth Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers - 2025
Contract for the Employment in Canada of Seasonal Agricultural Workers from Mexico – 2025