The Workers’ compensation system can be very complicated and confusing. You don’t have to face it alone.
Community legal clinics
Legal Aid Ontario’s community clinics provide free legal help to people with low incomes. For a legal clinic in your area, use your address or post code to search Legal Aid’s list of clinics , or browse by region Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) “Getting legal help directory”.
Three of these community legal clinics provide specialty legal services in workers’ compensation:
- Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic (IWC)
815 Danforth Ave, Suite 411, Toronto M4J 1L2
– phone: (416) 461-2411 : toll free 1(833) 461-2411 – email: info@iwc.clcj.ca - IAVGO Community Legal Clinic (IAVGO)
55 University Ave, 15th floor, Toronto M5J 2H7
– phone: (416) 924-6477 : toll free 1(877) 230-6311 - Workers’ Health & Safety Legal Clinic (WHSLC)
180 Dundas St W., Suite 2000, Toronto M5G 1Z8
– phone: (416) 971-8832 : toll free 1(877) 832-6090
Your Union
If you are a member of a union, call your union representative. Most unions have a staff person who handles Workers’ Compensation cases.
Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA)
The Office of the Worker Adviser is an independent agency of the Ministry of Labour and provides free representation to non-unionized injured workers on workers’ compensation. See the OWA website for general information and a list of offices near you. If there isn’t a clinic in your area call toll free 1-800-435-8980.
Your Member of Parliament
Staff at your MPP’s office may be able to help you – find your MPP and their contact details.
Injured worker groups
Check if there is an injured workers’ group near you – Ontario Network of the Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG) directory
Other sources of legal assistance
The Legal Aid Certificate pays all or part of your lawyer’s fees. Contact your nearest Legal Aid office to learn whether you qualify.
If there isn’t a Community Legal Clinic near you and you want help finding a lawyer who handles WCB cases, the Law Society Referral Service has an online referral service in English and French at www.findlegalhelp.ca. Their Crisis Line (intended for people who are unable to use the online service, such as those in a shelter or in a remote community without access to the internet) can be reached at (416) 947-5255 or 1-855-947-5255.