C. Reid

The worker appealed the denial of their claim for mental stress and the determination that their position did not meet the definition of a correctional officer under the first responder PTSD presumption policy.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found that the worker's roles as a Behavioural Technologist and Correctional Programs Officer involved direct responsibility for the care, health, discipline, safety, and custody of inmates, thereby meeting the policy definition.

The worker was diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist following workplace traumas, including witnessing a stabbing.

The Officer concluded the presumption applied and was not rebutted by pre-existing conditions or employment issues, granting entitlement to health care and loss of earnings benefits.

The worker, a firefighter, appealed a decision denying entitlement for left foot and ankle injuries.

The worker developed left foot pain after working four 11-hour shifts at a mass vaccination clinic, which required prolonged standing and walking on concrete floors in safety boots.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found that the work at the vaccination clinic represented a significant change in physical demands compared to regular firefighting duties.

The Officer concluded that the excessive prolonged walking caused a repetitive overload of the Achilles tendon, resulting in Achilles tendinosis.

The appeal was allowed in part, granting initial entitlement for the left Achilles tendon injury, and the matter was remitted to determine loss of earnings benefits.

The worker suffered a severe left hand and wrist injury in a 2003 workplace motor vehicle accident, reaching maximum medical recovery in 2005 with a 25% Non-economic Loss award.

In 2021, the worker experienced worsening symptoms and sought entitlement for secondary conditions and a left wrist fusion surgery.

The case manager denied the requests, finding the new diagnoses were not causally related to the index injury.

On appeal, the Appeals Resolution Officer weighed competing medical opinions and preferred the treating orthopaedic surgeon's opinion over the WSIB medical consultant's, finding the worker suffered a compensable recurrence.

The appeal was allowed, granting entitlement to the secondary conditions and the wrist fusion surgery.