Minister Calls For Additional Appeal Commissioners
Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon has called on the Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal (WCAT) to hire additional staff to help with the backlog of workers' compensation appeals.
"We are committed to doing whatever we can to help injured workers and their families," said Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon. "While this is just a small piece of the puzzle, we are continuing to work on the big picture of finding solutions to workers' compensation issues, including the appeal backlog."
The minister cited the recently announced audit of the workers' compensation system and discussions on draft legislation as other initiatives aimed at addressing workers' compensation issues.
Initial plans are to add three positions to the tribunal's current staff of ten appeal commissioners. The positions will be advertised in the coming weeks. "While three positions may not sound like a lot, every little bit helps," said the minister.
Appeal commissioners review evidence and issue decisions on appeals filed by injured workers. WCAT is an independent, quasi-judicial agency, established in January 1996 as the final level of appeal within the workers' compensation system.
"Getting rid of the backlog is an absolute priority," said the minister. "The backlog is much more than files or words on paper. It is about people and families with their lives and plans on hold. They deserve clear answers in order to plan for the future."
Complicated questions of law have arisen regarding the application of legislation for cases caught in transition between the old and new act. The backlog at the appeal tribunal now stands at approximately 2,400.
The minister noted that the tribunal has been working hard at finding solutions to the backlog, despite a heavy workload and legal complications.
Recently, the appeals tribunal has been issuing approximately 100 decisions a month. They travel the province to hold sessions with injured workers, and they are actively looking into new initiatives. Last year, the tribunal instituted an alternative dispute resolution process in an effort to reduce the backlog. This involves a more straight forward process for resolving appeals, including the opportunity for injured workers to make direct, face-to-face representation on their cases.
WCAT is one of the agencies that will be audited in the review of the workers' compensation system announced by the minster last week.
"Working together with all parties we can find real solutions for the benefit of injured workers and their families across Nova Scotia."