Source: https://www.wsib.ca/en/operational-policy-manual/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-first-responders-and-other-designated
Timestamp: 2019-05-22 21:57:55
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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders and Other Designated Workers | WSIB
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders and Other Designated Workers
This policy applies to decisions made on or after September 1, 2018, for accidents on or after January 1, 1998.
If a first responder or other designated worker is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and meets specific employment and diagnostic criteria, the first responder or other designated worker's PTSD is presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of his or her employment, unless the contrary is shown.
The purpose of this policy is to outline the circumstances under which PTSD in first responders and other designated workers is presumed to be work-related.
"First responders and other designated workers," hereinafter called "first responders," means
Nurses who directly provide patient care and who are not workers described in paragraph 10 or 11.
Provincial bailiffs.
Workers who directly supervise probation officers.
Members of a police force, other than those described in paragraph 5, who perform work in a forensic identification unit or a Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System unit.
Definitions for these and related terms found in s.14 of the WSIA are provided in the Appendix.
"Posttraumatic stress disorder" (PTSD) means PTSD as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, or as described in the Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), where specified
“Psychiatrist” has the same meaning as in subsection 1(1) of the Mental Health Act.
“Psychologist” means a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario who holds a certificate of registration for a psychologist authorizing autonomous practice, or an individual who has a similar status in another province or territory of Canada.
Policy parts 1, 2 and 3
Part 1 of this policy applies to the first responders listed in paragraphs 1 to 12, above; Part 2 of this policy applies to the first responders listed in paragraphs 13 to 18; Part 3of this policy applies to all first responders.
Part 1 – first responders listed in paragraphs 1 - 12
"Pending claims" for the purpose of Part 1 of this policy means PTSD claims from first responders that are pending before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) on April 6, 2016. For further clarity, these are claims in which, as of April 6, 2016,
a claim for PTSD was filed, but the WSIB had not yet made a decision
there is or was a right to file a notice of objection in respect of the claim following an initial entitlement decision and the notice of objection is or was filed within the appropriate time frame
there is or was a right to file a notice of appeal to the WSIAT in respect of the claim following a final decision of the WSIB, and the notice of appeal is or was filed within the appropriate time frame, or
the first responder had filed a notice of appeal to WSIAT and the claim was pending before the WSIAT.
"Transitional claims" for the purpose of Part 1 of this policy means
new PTSD claims filed by first responders between April 6, 2016 and October 6, 2016
PTSD claims in which the first responder ceased to be employed as a first responder between April 6, 2014 and April 6, 2016, and
PTSD claims in which the first responder ceased to be employed as a first responder on or after April 6, 2016.
Time limits for filing a PTSD claim
The six-month time limit for filing a claim applies to claims for PTSD made by first responders or their survivors in the same way it applies to other claims, see 15-01-03, Workers' Requirement to Claim and Consent.
A claim for PTSD diagnosed before April 6, 2016 must have been filed on or before October 6, 2016 to be considered under the presumption.
The time limit for filing a PTSD claim runs from the date of accident/injury. The date of accident/injury will generally be the date a PTSD diagnosis is made by a psychologist or psychiatrist, however, in some cases, it may be an earlier date, see 11-01-04, Determining the Date of Injury. Benefits and services generally flow from the date of accident/injury.
If a first responder is diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist or psychologist, and if the three criteria set out below are met, the PTSD is presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the first responder's employment, unless the contrary is shown. (Special criteria apply to transitional claims as set out below.)
1. Date of employment
The first responder must have been employed as a first responder for at least one day on or after April 6, 2014.
The first responder must have been diagnosed with PTSD by a psychologist or psychiatrist
on or after April 6, 2014, and
no later than 24 months after the day he or she ceases to be employed as a first responder if he/she ceases to be employed as a first responder on or after April 6, 2016.
3. Type of diagnosis
The first responder must have been diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist with PTSD as described in the DSM-5.
Special criteria apply to transitional claims as set out below. In these cases, if the first responder is diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist or psychologist and if the special criteria set out below are met, the PTSD will be presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the first responder's employment, unless the contrary is shown.
Pending claims as of April 6, 2016
If a first responder had a pending PTSD claim before the WSIB or the WSIAT on April 6, 2016, and the PTSD was diagnosed by a psychologist or a psychiatrist as described in DSM-IV or DSM-5, the presumption set out in this policy applies regardless of whether the first responder ceased to be employed as a first responder before or after April 6, 2014, and regardless of whether the diagnosis was made before or after April 6, 2014.
New claims within six months of April 6, 2016
If a first responder filed a new PTSD claim within six months of April 6, 2016, and the relevant criteria relating to employment and diagnosis dates (set out above) are met, the presumption set out in this policy applies even if the first responder's diagnosis is as described in the DSM-IV. This includes new claims from first responders who ceased to be employed as first responders after April 6, 2016, as long as such claims were filed on or before October 6, 2016.
First responder ceased to be employed as a first responder between April 6, 2014 and April 6, 2016
If a first responder ceased to be employed as a first responder between April 6, 2014 and April 6, 2016, and the first responder was employed as a first responder for at least one day on or after April 6, 2014, the PTSD diagnosis must have been made on or after April 6, 2014, but no later than April 6, 2018, for the presumption set out in this policy to apply. The PTSD diagnosis may be as described in the DSM-IV if the claim was filed within six months of April 6, 2016, as set out above. Otherwise, the PTSD diagnosis must be as described in the DSM-5.
Part 2 – first responders listed in paragraphs 13 - 18
"Pending claims" for the purpose of Part 2 of this policy means PTSD claims from first responders that are pending before the WSIB or the WSIAT on May 8, 2018. For further clarity, these are claims in which, as of May 8, 2018,
a claim for PTSD has been filed, but the WSIB has not yet made a decision
the first responder has filed a notice of appeal to WSIAT and the claim is pending before the WSIAT.
If a first responder files a PTSD claim within the time limits for filing a claim, and if the three criteria set out below are met, the PTSD is presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the first responder's employment, unless the contrary is shown. (Special criteria apply to pending claims as set out below.)
The first responder must be employed as a first responder for at least one day on or after May 8, 2018.
The first responder must have been diagnosed with PTSD by a psychologist or psychiatrist no later than 24 months after the day he or she ceases to be employed as a first responder if he/she ceases to be employed as a first responder on or after May 8, 2018.
The first responder must be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist with PTSD as described in the DSM-5.
Pending claims as of May 8, 2018
If a first responder has a pending PTSD claim before the WSIB or the WSIAT on May 8, 2018, and the PTSD was diagnosed by a psychologist or a psychiatrist as described in the DSM-5 or DSM-IV, the presumption set out in this policy applies regardless of whether the first responder ceased to be employed as a first responder before May 8, 2018.
Part 3 – all first responders
The presumption may be rebutted if it is established that the employment was not a significant contributing factor in causing the first responder's PTSD.
Employer's work-related decisions or actions
A first responder is not entitled to benefits for PTSD if it is shown that his or her PTSD was caused by his or her employer's decisions or actions that are part of the employment function, such as
However, first responders may be entitled to benefits for PTSD due to an employer's decisions or actions that are not part of the employment function, such as
violence or threats of violence, or
In these cases, if the relevant employment and diagnostic criteria are met, the exception does not apply and the PTSD is presumed to be work-related, unless the contrary is shown.
If a first responder filed a PTSD claim and the claim was denied by the WSIB or the WSIAT, the first responder may not refile the claim and have it considered under the presumption set out in this policy. However, the decision-maker may reconsider the claim in accordance with 15-03-02, Traumatic Mental Stress, if new information is provided.
Nothing in this policy affects a first responder's potential entitlement for traumatic mental stress in accordance with 15-03-02, Traumatic Mental Stress.
This document replaces 15-03-13 dated April 7, 2016.
Sections 2(1), 13, 14
Administrative #3, September 5, 2018, Page 563
has the same meaning as in subsection 1(1) of the Ambulance Act.
means a worker employed in an ambulance service who manages or supervises one or more paramedics and whose duties include providing direct support to paramedics dispatched by a communications officer on a request for ambulance services.
means a council of the band as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act (Canada).
means a communications officer for the purposes of the Ambulance Act.
means a correctional institution as defined in section 1 of the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, or a similar institution operated for the custody of inmates.
means a worker who is directly involved in the care, health, discipline, safety and custody of an inmate confined to a correctional institution, but does not include a bailiff, probation officer or parole officer.
a firefighter as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, or
provides fire protection services on a reserve, either as a volunteer or for a nominal consideration, honorarium, training or activity allowance.
a worker to whom the Fire Marshal appointed under subsection 8(1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 has delegated the duty to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of a fire
a worker who was an inspector appointed under subsection 2(4) of the Fire Marshals Act before that Act was repealed by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, or
a worker who is employed by a band council and assigned to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of a fire on a reserve.
means a worker who is a firefighter, is regularly employed on a salaried basis and is scheduled to work an average of 35 hours or more per week.
Member of an emergency response team
means a person who provides first aid or medical assistance in an emergency, either as a volunteer or for a nominal consideration, honorarium or training or activity allowance, and who is dispatched by a communications officer to provide the assistance, but does not include an emergency medical attendant, a firefighter, a paramedic or a police officer.
Member of a police force who performs work in a forensic identification unit or a Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System unit
means a member of a police force, as defined in the Police Services Act, who performs work in a forensic identification unit or a Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System unit of the police force.
Nurse who directly provides patient care
means a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario who directly provides patient care.
means a worker who directly supervises one or more correctional services officers.
means a worker who is a firefighter and is not a volunteer firefighter or full-time firefighter.
Place of secure custody
has the same meaning as in subsection 3(1) of the Child and Family Services Act.
Place of secure temporary detention
means a chief of police, any other police officer or a First Nations Constable, but does not include a person who is appointed as a police officer under the Interprovincial Policing Act, 2009, a special constable, a municipal law enforcement officer or an auxiliary member of a police force.
means a probation officer appointed under or in accordance with the Ministry of Correctional Services Actor the Child and Family Services Act.
Provincial bailiff
means a provincial bailiff appointed under the Ministry of Correctional Services Act.
means a reserve as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act (Canada).
means a special constable appointed under the Police Services Act.
Worker in a correctional institution
means a correctional services officer, an operational manager, or a worker who is employed at a correctional institution to provide direct health care services by assessing, treating, monitoring, evaluating and administering medication to an inmate confined to a correctional institution.
Worker in a place of secure custody or place of secure temporary detention
means a youth services worker, a youth services manager, or a worker who is employed at a place of secure custody or place of secure temporary detention to provide direct health care services by assessing, treating, monitoring, evaluating and administering medication to a young person in custody or detention at the place of secure custody or secure temporary detention.
Worker involved in dispatch
means a communications officer, a worker whose duties include the dispatch of firefighters and police officers, or a worker who receives emergency calls that initiate the dispatch of ambulance services, firefighters and police officers.
Worker who directly supervises probation officers
means a worker who directly supervises one or more probation officers.
means a worker who is employed in a management position at a place of secure custody or secure temporary detention, and who directly supervises youth services workers, but does not include an administrator of a place of secure custody or secure temporary detention or a manager who only supervises educational, health-related or counselling services to young persons at the facility.
means a worker who is employed at a place of secure custody or secure temporary detention, and who directly supervises young persons who are in custody or detention at the place of secure custody or secure temporary detention, including supervising daily routines and programs, but does not include a worker who provides only educational, health-related or counselling services to young persons at the facility.