Download Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What is PTSD?
PTSD is an emotional and psychological response to directly
experiencing a traumatic event (or a series of traumatic
events) that is life-threatening, very disturbing or stressful.
The resulting symptoms can be very debilitating and require
treatment to resolve the symptoms. PTSD is covered under
policy for all workers, with each claim considered on a
case-by-case basis. Compensation benefits are provided when
it is confirmed through medical diagnosis and WCB’s follow-up
investigation that the PTSD is work related.
First responders with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
All workers who do not have presumptive coverage will
continue to be eligible for the current workers’ compensation
coverage for PTSD.
Filing a claim for PTSD
The reporting process for submitting a claim to WCB is simple.
If you are injured at work:
1. Tell your employer
After receiving notice, your employer must report your injury
within 72 hours if:
• You need medical treatment beyond first aid.
• You cannot do your job beyond the day of accident.
Effective Dec. 10, 2012, first responders who suffer from
PTSD will now be eligible for presumptive coverage through
WCB-Alberta. It is important to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD.
First responders include:
• Police officers appointed under provincial regulation but
excluding the RCMP.
• Firefighters (both full-and part-time) as defined in section
24.1 of the Workers’ Compensation Act.
• Emergency medical technicians as defined under the
Health Disciplines Act.
• Sheriffs (as defined under section 7 of the Peace Officer
Act).
The legislation applies to workers who are or have been first
responders in Alberta.
2. Tell your health care provider
Your doctor or psychologist must report your injury to WCB
within 48 hours. To diagnose PTSD, your health care provider
will use standard diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It is important to
confim the diagnosis of PTSD.
3. Tell WCB
You can report online by going to WCB for Workers> Quick
Online Services for Workers at https://www.wcb.ab.ca/workers
For more information on WCB’s treatment of traumatic
psychological injury, please see the Traumatic Psychological
Injury Fact Sheet.
Additional link:
Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012
What is presumptive coverage?
As of Dec. 10, 2012, if a first responder is diagnosed with PTSD
by a physician or a psychologist, it will be assumed to have
risen out of and occurred during the course of employment,
unless the contrary is proven.
This amendment allows first responders to receive workers’
compensation coverage and treatment for PTSD as soon as
possible.
www.wcb.ab.ca
•
[email protected]
•
1-866-922-9221 (within AB)
1-800-661-9608 (outside AB)
Feb. 13, 2017 • WCB-491
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