Law
The WSIB shall make its decision based upon the merits and justice of a case and is not bound by legal precedent.
Policy
Merits and justice
Every decision made by the WSIB must be based on the merits and justice of the case, which means decision-makers must take into account
- all facts and circumstances relating to the case
- the relevant WSIB policy or policies, and
- the relevant provision or provisions of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Actor the Workers' Compensation Act (the Act).
By applying relevant legislative and policy provisions to similar situations, decision-makers ensure that
- similar cases are adjudicated in a similar manner
- each participant in the system is treated fairly, and
- the decision-making process is consistent and reliable.
Guidelines
Scope of authority
The obligation to decide each case on the basis of merits and justice does not authorize a decision-maker to disregard the relevant provisions of the Act or WSIB policies. The Act and the policies must be taken into consideration, and cannot be ignored if they apply to a particular case.
Facts and circumstances
Decision-makers rely on employers, workers, and health care practitioners to report relevant information, but ensure that all information necessary to make a decision is on file.
Role of the Act
The WSIB is responsible for administering and implementing the Act. If there are specific directions within the Act that are relevant to the facts and circumstances of the case, decision-makers are legally bound to follow them with no exceptions (e.g., loss of earnings is to be compensated at 85% of net average earnings for accidents on or after January 1, 1998).
Role of policy
The WSIB develops policies when the Act is silent or ambiguous, or when it permits a number of possible interpretations.
Within each policy, the WSIB creates a framework that directs the way decision-makers should act when certain facts and circumstances come before them. If such situations arise, the relevant policies must be followed unless there are exceptional circumstances as described below.
Applying policies
After gathering all the facts pertaining to each case, the decision-maker interprets the information, determines if there are any relevant provisions of the Act or policies, and weighs all of the evidence before making a decision.
To identify a relevant policy, a decision-maker must first consider whether the case falls within the application date of the policy (e.g., 17-06-05, Personal Care Allowance, applies to all decisions made on or after June 1, 2001).
The decision-maker then determines if the facts of the case fall within the framework established by the policy.
If the facts of the case pertain to one or more policies, the decision-maker must apply each of those policies when making a decision.
Exceptions to relevant policies
There may be rare cases where the application of a relevant policy would lead to an absurd or unfair result that the WSIB never intended. Therefore, a decision-maker may depart from a policy if it can be shown that the case has exceptional circumstances that justify doing so.
The decision-maker must clearly identify the exceptional circumstances and explain in the decision why the relevant policy is not applicable.
No relevant policies
If a decision-maker finds that the facts of the case are not covered by existing policy, the case must be decided on its particular facts, in accordance with the general provisions of the Act. The decision-maker cannot disregard the relevant provisions of the Act.
Decisions related to occupational disease
When determining entitlement to a disease claim, a decision-maker considers the worker’s clinical condition and exposure at work, the up-to-date clinical and scientific information, any pertinent non-occupational factors, and all of the relevant policies.
Application date
This policy applies to all decisions made on or after March 1, 2001, for all accidents.
Document History
This document replaces 11-01-03 dated April 6, 2001.
References
Legislative Authority
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as amended
Section 119(1)
Workers' Compensation Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended
Section 73(1)
Minute
Administrative
#13, June 23, 2004, Page 376