Oral hearings improve the quality of decision-making. For many injured workers, there is also satisfaction and relief at being able to explain in their own words what really happened. It is an opportunity to uncover misunderstandings (that may have snowballed through the memos and medical reports) in a setting where both the injured worker and appeals officer can look at the file together
At least I have talked to someone from the Board and he was listening to me. That makes me feel settled that at last my situation is understood.”
Under the new Appeals Services Division guidelines there are 31 types of issue that will not receive an oral hearing (except in exceptional circumstances) and a small number of issues for which the worker may be allowed an oral hearing after providing written detailed submissions supporting the request.