Help for first responders who are healing from PTSD

Q: I am a police officer who has experienced a traumatic incident on the job. I struggled for a few months and after obtaining treatment was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have been off work for some time. I’ve now been locked in, but I struggle to heal and move forward because I have to hear from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and my employer and it brings up the traumatic memories, setting me back in my recovery. Is there anything I can do?

A: Your situation is more common than you may think. If your employer is a schedule 2 employer (most police services are), there is a mechanism that is rarely used in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act that allows you to settle your WSIB claim. This typically becomes a realistic option approximately six years after injury. You can reach an agreement with your employer and submit it to the WSIB for approval. Typically, this is a large, up-front payment now that ends your WSIB claim and employment. It allows you to move forward without having to deal with your employer or the WSIB. It’s important, however, to understand what your long-term entitlement is (loss of earnings, a top up if applicable under the collective agreement, the value of benefits, etc.) and ensure that the lump sum payment is fair in the circumstances. This can apply to other first responders and not just police officers.

If you have employment law or human rights questions, I would be happy to speak with you. you can reach me at wpoziomka@rossmcbride.com or 905-572-5824. Also, I regularly blog on developments in human rights law at www.ontariohumanrights.net.

This article was originally published by The Hamilton Spectator.