A workplace injury brings more than pain. Alongside the physical problem there are forms, phone calls, questions about pay, conversations with your supervisor and uncertainty about when you can safely go back. For many people it is the first time they have dealt with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the process can feel opaque.
This guide walks through what to do after a work injury in Ontario, how physiotherapy fits into a WSIB claim, who pays, and how a return to work is planned. It is general information, not legal advice; the WSIB and your employer are the authorities on your specific claim, and we are always happy to help you understand the paperwork that relates to your treatment.
What the WSIB is
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board administers Ontario's no-fault workplace insurance system. It is funded by employer premiums. When a covered worker is injured or becomes ill because of their work, the WSIB can provide benefits including payment for health care, loss of earnings benefits and support returning to work, regardless of who was at fault.
Most Ontario workers are covered, but not all. Some industries are not required to have WSIB coverage, federally regulated employers such as banks and airlines fall under different rules, and self-employed people are usually not covered unless they have arranged optional insurance. If you are unsure, ask your employer or contact the WSIB directly.
Common work injuries we see
Work injuries are not limited to dramatic accidents. Many develop gradually from repetitive tasks or sustained postures, and these are just as eligible for a claim when they arise from work.
- Back strains from lifting, carrying or awkward handling.
- Shoulder injuries from overhead work, pushing or pulling.
- Neck and upper back pain from prolonged computer work.
- Tennis elbow, wrist and hand problems from repetitive gripping or tool use.
- Knee and ankle injuries from slips, trips and falls.
- Sprains and strains from sudden movements or impacts.
- Concussion from a blow to the head or a fall.
Step 1: get care and tell your employer
Your health comes first. Get first aid at work, and if you need more than first aid, see a health professional. For serious injuries, go to an emergency department or call 911.
Tell your supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as you can, even if it seems minor at the time. Many injuries that seem small on the day become more significant over the following days, and early reporting avoids problems later. Write down the date, time, what you were doing and the names of any witnesses while the details are fresh.
Step 2: the WSIB forms
Three forms make up the core of most claims. Your employer, you and your health professional each have one. They can be submitted online or by other means described on the WSIB website.
| Form | Who completes it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Form 7 — Employer's Report of Injury/Disease | Your employer | Within 3 business days of learning of an injury needing health care beyond first aid or causing lost time or earnings |
| Form 6 — Worker's Report of Injury/Disease | You, the worker | As soon as possible; claims generally must be filed within 6 months |
| Form 8 — Health Professional's Report | The health professional who first treats you | At the first visit for the injury |
Your rights when reporting
Employers in Ontario must not discourage or prevent workers from reporting an injury or filing a claim. This is called claim suppression and it is prohibited. You also cannot be penalised for reporting a workplace injury. If you are worried about how your employer is responding, you can contact the WSIB directly for guidance.
Step 3: choosing a physiotherapist
You have the right to choose your own health professional, including your own physiotherapist. You do not need a referral from a doctor to start physiotherapy in Ontario, and a WSIB claim does not change that. Let the clinic know at your first call that your injury happened at work, and bring your WSIB claim number if you already have one, along with your employer's details and the date of the injury.
At your first appointment, the physiotherapist completes the Health Professional's Report and sends it to the WSIB, and assesses your injury in detail, including what your job involves, so that treatment and return-to-work planning reflect your actual duties.
Who pays for treatment
For an allowed claim, the WSIB pays the clinic directly for approved health care, so you should not be asked to pay out of pocket for that treatment. Before a claim is allowed, clinics handle this in different ways; ask at booking how your visits will be managed while the claim is pending.
For many common musculoskeletal injuries, the WSIB has Programs of Care — standard, evidence-based treatment plans that describe the type and duration of care expected for injuries such as low back, shoulder and other soft-tissue problems. Clinicians follow these programmes and report progress to the WSIB at set points. If you need more or different care than the programme provides, your clinician can request it with supporting information.
What treatment looks like
WSIB physiotherapy is active and goal-oriented. Treatment typically combines manual therapy and pain-relieving techniques early on with progressive exercise that targets the specific demands of your job. If you lift boxes, your programme will include lifting practice; if you work at a computer all day, your workstation and posture will be part of the plan.
For more complex or longer-term cases, work conditioning or work hardening programmes build the strength, endurance and tolerance needed to return to full duties, simulating real work tasks in a structured, progressive way.
Returning to work safely
Early and safe return to work is a central principle of the Ontario system, and the law requires employers and workers to cooperate in it. Returning to suitable work, often on modified duties or reduced hours, generally leads to better recovery than staying away for long periods. Staying connected to work maintains routine, income and fitness, and reduces the risk of the injury becoming chronic.
Your employer may ask your health professional to complete a Functional Abilities Form, which describes what you can and cannot safely do — for example, lifting limits, sitting and standing tolerance, or restrictions on overhead work. It does not include your diagnosis. The employer uses it to identify suitable modified duties. As you recover, restrictions are updated and duties progress toward your normal role.
- Ask your physiotherapist to explain your functional abilities clearly.
- Talk to your supervisor about duties that fit your current restrictions.
- Report honestly if modified work aggravates your symptoms.
- Keep doing your home exercises — they are part of your recovery.
- Keep notes of any changes to duties, hours or symptoms.
If your claim is delayed or denied
Sometimes a claim takes time to be decided or is denied. If this happens, contact your WSIB case manager for an explanation and ask what further information is needed. Reports from your health professionals often help clarify how the injury relates to your work. If you disagree with a decision, there is an objection and appeal process with time limits, and free help is available from the Office of the Worker Adviser for non-unionised workers. Union members can usually get help through their union.
While waiting, it may be possible to use your extended health benefits for treatment, with reimbursement sorted out later if the claim is allowed. Ask your clinic and insurer how this works for you.
Preventing the next injury
Recovery is also a chance to reduce the risk of a repeat injury. Physiotherapists can advise on lifting technique, workstation set-up, pacing of repetitive tasks and a maintenance exercise programme. Many workplaces welcome this input, and small changes to tools, layout or task rotation can make a large difference for everyone doing the same job.
WSIB physiotherapy in Woodbridge and Vaughan
At Med Wellness on Ansley Grove Road in Woodbridge, we treat workplace injuries under WSIB claims for workers across Vaughan, Concord, Maple and the surrounding area. We complete the required WSIB reports, follow the Programs of Care, provide Functional Abilities information to support a safe return to work, and offer work conditioning for more demanding jobs. Our administrator can help you with the treatment-related paperwork.
Call +1 (905) 605-8889 and tell us your injury happened at work. Have your claim number ready if you have one — if not, we can explain the next steps.
References
Written by Sandeep Sharma, Clinic Director · Clinically reviewed by Paramjeet Kaur Bassi · Last reviewed August 11, 2026
This page is general health information reviewed by a registered clinician. It is not personalised medical advice and does not replace an in-person assessment. If your symptoms are severe, worsening or new, contact a healthcare professional.
