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What is the OWA?
The Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) is an independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The OWA provides free services to non-unionized injured workers and their survivors in workplace insurance matters (formerly called workers' compensation). The OWA was established in 1985, along with the Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). The OWA is not part of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
What's New?
	WSIB Issues Statement on Entitlement for H1N1 Flu The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has issued a statement clarifying its position on "coverage, benefits and services" for H1N1 flu. The statement, posted on the WSIB website, says that "H1N1 influenza is a community-acquired illness and most instances of H1N1 will not be work-related." According to WSIB, the following four conditions must be met in order for a claim for H1N1 to be allowed: It must be established that influenza was present during the course of employment, and; The worker had the opportunity for likely exposure to the illness during the course of employment, and; The symptoms, date of exposure and the onset of illness are clinically compatible with an H1N1 infection. A medical diagnosis based on test results is ideal, but not essential to make this determination, and; The influenza is determined to be work-related. During flu season, the prevalence of influenza (both seasonal and H1N1) is high throughout the community. Therefore, exceptional circumstances at work, such as an outbreak or exposure to concentrated culture, will generally be needed to conclude the influenza is work-related. When outbreaks are occurring with similar frequency in many occupational and non-occupational sectors, work-related circumstances are unlikely to be considered exceptional. The WSIB website also contains a list of frequently asked questions about entitlement for H1N1 flu. Workers who believe their H1N1 flu is work-related should file a claim with WSIB. (For more information on filing a claim, see OWA Fact Sheet 3, called "Filing a Claim".) Here is a link to the WSIB statement on H1N1 flu. The WSIB frequently asked questions on H1N1 flu are here.
	The Canadian LifeQuilt is a unique and permanent memorial dedicated to the thousands of young women and men ages 15 to 24 killed and injured on the job. Read the Threads of Life newsletters.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) makes every effort to ensure that services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Please notify OWA staff if you require any accommodations to meet your individual needs.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) charge for services? What can the OWA do for me? What if I belong to a union? What if my union will not represent me? Is the OWA part of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)? Can the OWA see my WSIB claim file? Can I see what is in my WSIB claim file? Can my employer see my WSIB claim file? What if I am hurt in another province? What should I do if I cannot return to my pre-injury job?