What Happens After Your Claim is Opened
1. A case worker is assigned
The claims process begins when your injury is reported to the WCB.
- You’ll get a claim number—you need it to register for WCB Online.
- You may receive a text message to your mobile phone, with your claim number.
- Your claim will be assigned to a WCB case worker, who will contact you within 2 business days of your claim being open.
Learn more about the steps when you file a claim for a psychological injury.
2. Your claim is reviewed and accepted
WCB takes great care when making a decision about your claim. Case workers must follow the law—specifically Section 10(1) of the Workers’ Compensation Act of Nova Scotia. The Act states that a worker is eligible for claim payment:
“where, in an industry to which this Part applies, personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment is caused to a worker.”
In other words, to accept a claim, the case worker must be able to answer “yes” to these 3 questions:
- Does the worker have an injury or illness?
- Is the worker and/or employer covered by a policy with the WCB?
- Did the injury or illness happen at work and because of work?
Your case worker will gather all the information needed to make a decision. This may include documents from you, your employer, and your health care provider.
After reviewing everything, they will decide whether your claim is accepted. Not all claims are accepted.
When a claim is not accepted
If the answer to all 3 questions above is not “yes”, the claim cannot be accepted. Your case worker will explain the decision to you and answer your questions. You have the right to request a formal written decision, and your employer will also receive a copy.
You also have the right to appeal. If you think the decision was wrong, you may file an ‘appeal’. Think of an appeal as formally asking the WCB to have another look at the decision. Find more information about appealing a claim decision.
3. You receive support and benefits
If your claim for benefits is accepted, your case worker will:
- Help with your treatment and recovery
- Help you with the claim process and ensure you receive appropriate WCB benefits
- Keep in contact with you, your health care providers and your employer
- Work with you and your employer, along with your health care provider to help you make an early and safe return to work
4. You get help returning to work—if needed
Most workplace injuries don’t need to result in time away from work—especially when supports and accommodations are in place early. But if you need time off, WCB is here to help you return safely.
Whether your injury happened at work or outside of work, returning to work helps recovery. Work is an important part of your overall health, from physical and mental health, to financial and social health. Working is good for all of us, and for our families.
That’s why we focus on helping you return to work safely, and as early as possible.
Working together
Return-to-work plan - Your case worker will put you at the centre of the process. They help create a safe path for you to stay connected to work or to return to work as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Case conference - If an injury prevents you from working, and a return-to-work plan is not yet in place, a case conference will be scheduled. This is a meeting with you, your employer, and your health care provider to plan your early and safe return to work. The plan might include transitional work—job tasks that match what you can do safely while you recover. Learn more about transitional work (PDF)
Return-to-work specialist - Sometimes your case worker will work together with a WCB Return-To-Work Specialist. As the name says, they specialize in helping people return to work after injury. Just like your case worker, a Return-To-Work Specialist will keep you at the center of the return-to-work process—also working with your employer, and healthcare provider.
Learn more about what benefits you'll receive