In this hands-on course offered within Prevention Link’s core curriculum, participants learn the structure, practices and procedures of the appeals branch of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).
Participants will review how to begin the appeals process, the professional responsibilities of the parties, and the legal principles involved. The various methods of resolution will be reviewed and the procedure for in-person hearings will be examined in detail.
Participants will develop oral and written advocacy skills as they prepare for a hearing through:
- review of the file;
- gathering additional evidence;
- researching law, policy and precedent; and
- preparation of witnesses.
Hearing presentations are discussed, and participants are provided with the order of proceedings for an in-person, oral hearing and additional information and resources regarding advocacy, opening and closing statements, objections, questioning, cross questioning, redirect and the use of legal precedents is explored.
In addition to the information presented, participants will have hands-on experience with a claim file and, in groups, act as representatives at the WSIB appeal level and at the WSIAT by preparing and presenting an appeal before an Appeals Resolution Officer and a Vice Chair or Panel respectively.