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ARTICLE · 18 DECEMBER 2012

Changes To B.C.’S Workers’ Compensation Act Extends Entitlement For "Mental Disorders"

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On May 31, 2012, the B.C. Legislature passed Bill 14, which amended the Workers Compensation Act to change workers’ compensation coverage for mental disorders caused by work.

CanadaEmployment and HR
David Marchione
David Marchione
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Edited by Norm Keith

On May 31, 2012, the B.C. Legislature passed Bill 14, which amended the Workers Compensation Act to change workers' compensation coverage for mental disorders caused by work. The changes took effect on July 1, 2012 and apply to all decisions made by the compensation board and Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal as of that date.

The changes include workers' compensation coverage for "mental disorders." Prior to the changes, workers were only entitled to compensation if they suffered "mental stress" that was an acute reaction to a sudden and unexpected traumatic event that arose out of and in the course of employment. The amended legislation allows coverage for a "mental disorder" that is a reaction to one or more traumatic events that arose out of and in the course of the worker's employment, or a "mental disorder" that "is predominantly caused by a significant workrelated stressor, or a cumulative series of significant work-related

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