Dr. M. Pysklywec

The worker, a firefighter with 28 years of service, was diagnosed with right vocal cord squamous cell carcinoma (laryngeal cancer) and sought benefits for an occupational disease.

The initial adjudicator denied the claim because laryngeal cancer is not a prescribed cancer for firefighters under the presumptive policy.

On appeal, the Appeals Resolution Officer weighed competing medical opinions.

The Officer preferred the opinions of the worker's treating oncologist and an occupational medicine physician, who both concluded that the cancer was likely caused by occupational exposures given the worker's lack of other risk factors, over the opinion of the Board's medical consultant.

The appeal was allowed and entitlement to benefits was granted.

The worker, a personal support worker, appealed a decision denying entitlement to WSIB benefits for a low back injury.

The worker alleged she suffered an acute disc herniation while adjusting a mechanical lift sling on a combative resident.

The employer disputed the claim, citing delayed reporting and a pre-existing back condition from a 2017 motor vehicle accident.

The Appeals Resolution Officer allowed the appeal, finding that the worker suffered a personal work-related injury and accepting expert medical evidence that the physical demands of the incident caused an acute disc prolapse.

The worker was granted entitlement to benefits for the injury and subsequent surgical intervention.