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).
What is WCB?
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is the province’s provider of workplace injury insurance.
Employers in Nova Scotia who employ SAWP workers are required by law through the Workers’ Compensation Act and Regulations to register their business with WCB and to pay premiums.
Reporting 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 should be faxed to 902-491-8001. If you do not have access to a fax machine, it can be mailed or delivered to the Halifax or Sydney 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.
Need Support?
If you are seeking support to file or follow up on a WCB claim, you can contact No one is Illegal - Nova Scotia’s (NOII-NS) Migrant Workers Program. NOII-NS offers free and confidential support in English and Spanish.
Contact NOII-NS through WhatsApp +1 (902) 329-9595
Contacting 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
Sources consulted
The PDF brochure was created with support from the Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA).