Most people who get hurt at work are thinking about the injury, not the paperwork. That is reasonable. But a few early steps make the claim process smoother, and getting your injury assessed early is usually good for your recovery too.
This guide covers the first steps. If you want more detail on what WCB physiotherapy involves once treatment starts, our WCB physiotherapy guide goes through it.
Get checked first if you have any of these
Some symptoms need urgent medical care, not a booked appointment. Go to an emergency department or call 911 if you have:
a head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting, or loss of consciousness
chest pain or trouble breathing
new numbness or weakness in a leg or arm, especially with loss of bladder or bowel control
a limb that looks deformed, or a deep wound that will not stop bleeding
severe pain that came on suddenly after a fall or a heavy impact
If you are not sure whether your symptoms are serious, treat that as a reason to get assessed.
Step 1: Tell your employer
WCB says you have the right to report a workplace injury, and that you should tell your employer exactly what happened. Once your employer knows, they are required by law to report the injury to WCB within 72 hours if you need medical treatment beyond first aid, or if you cannot do your job beyond the day of the accident.
It is also against the law for an employer or supervisor to ask you not to report an injury. If you feel pressured, WCB's worker handbook explains who to contact.
Step 2: Tell your doctor or physiotherapist it was a work injury
Tell any doctor or other health care provider you see, including a physiotherapist or chiropractor, that you were injured at work. Health care providers are required by law to report to WCB within 48 hours of treating or assessing you.
Say it at the start of the visit. It affects how the appointment is documented and who the reports go to.
Step 3: Report the injury to WCB yourself
WCB also wants your own account of what happened. You can report through the myWCB worker app, or use the report of injury form. Include as many details as you can about how the injury happened and what it has affected.
WCB says the claim process cannot begin until it has reports from everyone involved: you, your employer, and your health care provider. If one is missing, the whole claim can wait.
What happens to your claim next
WCB classifies the claim and then makes a decision. A claim can be accepted, not accepted, pending, or sent for further medical investigation. Among the reasons WCB lists for not accepting a claim is that it was not filed within 24 months of the injury. You do not need to wait that long, and earlier reporting generally means fewer gaps in the record.
If you disagree with a decision, WCB says you can question it. The decision letter and the worker handbook explain the review and appeal options.
Where physiotherapy fits
WCB says it pays for approved medical care, and lists physiotherapy among the treatments that may be covered for a compensable injury. Whether a specific claim and specific treatment are approved is WCB's decision.
A first physiotherapy visit for a work injury usually focuses on assessment. Your physiotherapist will ask how the injury happened, check how you move and what limits you at work and at home, and talk through a plan. Depending on your needs, treatment may include education, exercise, hands-on treatment, and a gradual return to job tasks. Nobody can promise a recovery timeline in advance, because it depends on the injury, your job demands, and how you respond to treatment.
All of our physiotherapists at Flex accept WCB clients.
Your job as the patient is also set out by WCB. The worker handbook asks you to follow the treatment plans developed by your health care providers and to keep your appointments.
What to bring and ask
Your claim number, if WCB has issued one
A short description of how the injury happened, and when
A list of your main job duties, and which ones are hardest right now
Any work restrictions your doctor or employer has given you
Your questions about approvals and how much treatment WCB has authorized
Learn more about our workplace injury and WCB physiotherapy services, or contact the clinic to talk through your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see a doctor before physiotherapy for a work injury?
Not necessarily to book an assessment. Rules for referrals and approvals can depend on your claim, so call the clinic and WCB if you are unsure. Many people see both a doctor and a physiotherapist early on.
Who pays for physiotherapy if my claim is accepted?
If your WCB claim is accepted and physiotherapy treatment is approved, WCB Alberta generally pays the physiotherapy provider directly. You should not be charged for an approved physiotherapy service related to your compensable workplace injury.
Your physiotherapist will submit the required reports and invoices to WCB. The amount and duration of treatment covered depend on WCB authorization and the specific circumstances of your claim.
What if my employer says it is not a work injury?
Report it to WCB yourself anyway. WCB makes the claim decision, not your employer, and you can question decisions you disagree with.
Can I be assessed while my claim is still pending?
Often yes. The clinic can talk through your options when you call. Do not delay care for an injury that is getting worse while you wait for a decision.
What if the injury happened weeks ago and I only now feel it?
Some work injuries build up gradually. Tell your employer, your doctor or physiotherapist, and WCB, and give the dates and tasks involved as best you can.