From 1996 to 2004, Ontario’s workers compensation system approved more than 382,000 MSD lost-time claims which led to nearly 27 million lost-time days and direct costs of more than $3.3 billion.

Source: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca

Challenge

Employee injuries can have causes that are non- occupational.

Returning employees to work after an injury requires detailed information about the employee condition and capabilities. Often, this information is difficult to obtain.

Injured employees can create a significant cost burden due to WSIB increased premiums and penalties.

Often employees are able to return to work but not able to fully perform the tasks of their job. Modified duties can bring the employee back sooner than waiting for full recovery. In order to provide accommodations, the employer needs to understand the specific capabilities of the injured worker. Also, the doctor needs to understand the details of any modified work.

Injured workers may have their recovery delayed due to inordinate wait times to see their own doctors or for specific diagnostic procedures.

The doctor patient relationship does not include the employer. The doctor must rely on the employee to provide the physician with details about their job and working conditions.

Solution

Focus Workplace Ltd. Independent Medical Evaluations can help determine if an injury was caused at work or outside of work.

Independent Medical Evaluations (IME) provides detailed information about the ability of the employee to perform specific tasks. When combined with a Focus Workplace Ltd. Physical Demands Analysis for the job, the IME can determine what accommodations are necessary.

By utilizing the Focus Workplace Ltd. IME early in the process, employers can make informed decisions about the specific case and implement an efficient return to work program.

Focus Workplace Ltd. can arrange to have an injured worker seen by a physician or schedule a specific diagnostic procedure much faster than waiting for the public health system.

The Focus Workplace Ltd. IME is an objective view of the injured workers condition. It does not have a bias toward either the employer or the employee. As a result, information is available that allows for effective decisions to be made. Details of modified duties (if available) are available to our examiner and an opinion of the workers ability to perform those duties is provided.

Focus Workplace Ltd. Job Shadowing and Work Hardening programs help employees return to full function as soon as possible.

Role of Focus Workplace

Focus Workplace Ltd. will work with you to ensure that your procedures for dealing with injured employees are effective and fair.

Contact Us

Anne Graham, Health Services Coordinator
Phone: 519 896-3330
Email: agraham@focusworkplace.com

Our Related Services

Independent Medical Evaluations Health Specialists Functional Abilities Evaluation Job Shadowing Work Hardening