What to do if you’re injured at work and how to file a claim

To access our services without delay, you, a family member or your representative should contact us as soon as possible following your work injury. If you need help, ask a hospital social worker to assist you. To start a claim for you, we’ll need some information about your injury.

What qualifies as a work injury?

A work injury is the result of any work-related event that causes a need for medical treatment and/or time away from work. The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) considers each work injury on an individual basis, but in most cases compensation applies to injuries that occur while a worker is at work, on company premises or on company business. This includes an occupational disease caused by work. Learn more about what qualifies as a work injury. 

There are three things you need to do immediately if you are injured at work:

1. Get medical attention immediately if you need it.
   • Your employer should provide appropriate first aid and arrange transportation so you can receive treatment from a qualified health-care professional.
   • Have your health-care professional report to the WCB. Your health-care professional should identify any physical restrictions resulting from your injury and give them to you in writing.
      
2. Report your injury to your employer immediately.
   • Let your employer know about the incident right away — within hours or less.
   • Work with your employer, your health-care professional and the WCB to set up a personalized return-to-work plan. Learn more about recovery and return to work.
      
3. Report your injury to the WCB by completing the Worker’s Initial Report of Injury (W1) form immediately.
   • Online: The W1 form can be filled out online.
   • Email: Download and complete the W1 form online and email to forms@wcbsask.com. Please follow the following steps when submitting a form via email:
     • Fill out all empty fields online.
     • Print the form to add your signature.
     • Scan and email to forms@wcbsask.com.
     • If the form is not printed and scanned before submitting, it will not be accepted. 
     • Please submit your information saved as one of these supported file attachments and forward to us in your email. Please ensure that the maximum size does not exceed 28MB.
       • jpeg
       • pdf (excludes HEIC)
       • docx (Microsoft Word)
       • xlsx (Microsoft Excel)
       • png
       • tiff
     • By mail: The W1 form is available online for download.
       Once you’ve filled it out in pen, keep a copy for your records.
       Mail the signed copy of the W1 form to the WCB at:
       Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board
       200-1881 Scarth Street
       Regina, SK   S4P 4L1
     • By phone: Call the WCB at 1.800.787.9288 and a WCB representative will take your information and complete the form for you.

To complete the W1 form, you need:

• your birthdate
• your social insurance number
• your provincial health services card number
• your employer’s name, address and phone number
• the name of the health-care provider who is treating your injury

What happens next?

Workers, employers, health-care providers and the WCB all have a role to play in the recovery and return-to-work process following a work injury. 

Participate with your employer, care provider and the WCB in setting up an appropriate and safe return-to-work plan. The plan usually includes treatment, employment services and suitable work duties.

Effective claims management must involve not only the WCB, but also employers, workers and care providers in a co-operative relationship. The WCB uses a proactive customer care facilitator system to maximize early treatment, support safe return to work and provide superior customer service.

• Claims are immediately sorted to focus attention on injuries with complications or those of a more serious, longer-term nature.
• Established recovery schedules, timelines and standards result in prompt treatment and return to work.
• Medical treatment and return-to-work activities run at the same time.
• Treatment, physical rehabilitation and return-to-work plans are continually monitored to ensure your progress to recovery and return to the workplace.
• Be sure to stay in contact with your employer throughout the entire process.