Click on the following link;
http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abwcac/doc/2005/2005canlii76584/2005canlii76584.html
Scroll down to Para.53 specific to the claim for depression and continuing though to Para 61. The Appeals Commision decision was that the stress associated with her contact with the WCB regarding her claim is reasonable and expected when dealing with disability and an insurer. This decision basically destroys any credibility WCB has when attempting to portray themselves as having compassion, making decisions that are fair and unbiased and treating workers with respect and dignity. WCB spends tens of thousands of dollars on advertisements presenting an image of caring for workers and this is how the Appeals Commision views the WCB.
Click on the following link specific to WCB’s Statement of rights http://www.wcb.ab.ca/public/policy/manual/statements_rights.asp which in reality is nothing but propaganda and lies and even more so when they cannot convince even the morons in the AC that they are different than private insurance companies.
The majority of people who deal with private insurance companies specific to disability insurance are treated much better than workers who unfortunately find themselves under the complete control of WCB. Private disability insurance is guaranteed and a person does not have to prove causation. A person receives disability benefits within a few days or a week at most unlike WCB disability insurance that in numerous cases is never paid despite overwhelming evidence of a work related cause. It is not unusual to have WCB claims that go back 40 years or more. Workers who come under the umbrella of WCB and have their claims denied either commit suicide or commit acts of violence against WCB whereas I have never heard of a person attempting to kill a private insurer or committing suicide because their claim or benefits have been denied by a private insurer.
Major depressive disorders that are assessed using the DSM manual are a common occurrence for workers who submit claims to WCB and rather than assisting workers to become employable, WCB are responsible for the mental and emotional medical conditions suffered by workers because of the way they are treated by Case Managers, DRDRB and the AC and supported by the Alberta Government who have forced workers into a system that does not work and never has worked, all due to a culture of denial that the Alberta Government has simply turned a blind eye to and refuse to do anything to make the system completely transparent and accountable. We elect people to represent us in what is supposed to be a democracy but falls far short of justice for workers because of the contempt the Government has for workers in this province.
Gerry
