Reporting a workplace injury in BC: what to do if your employer discourages it

Discouraging you from reporting is illegal

Under section 73 of BC's Workers Compensation Act, employers and supervisors cannot use agreements, threats, promises or persuasion to stop a worker from filing a claim, and a private settlement made for that purpose has no effect. ^[4] In June 2026 the media reported that the BC Supreme Court upheld a ruling that BC Hydro acted unlawfully by steering an employee toward private disability benefits instead of a workers' compensation claim. ^[5]

Steps to report

1. Tell your employer as soon as possible: your name, when and where it happened, and how you were hurt. ^[1]
2. When you see a doctor, say the injury happened at work. The doctor sends a report to WorkSafeBC. ^[1]
3. Workers can also report by phone through Teleclaim: 604-231-8888 in Greater Vancouver, toll-free 1-888-967-5377, Monday to Friday 8:00 to 18:00. Have your income records for the past 12 weeks ready. ^[1][2]
4. The deadline is one year from the date of injury. ^[3]

WorkSafeBC has a Simplified Chinese page that says Mandarin and Cantonese speakers can help with reporting. ^[10]

What compensation covers

While you cannot work because of the injury, wage-loss benefits are paid at 90% of average after-tax earnings, starting from the first shift you miss, with no waiting period. For 2026 the maximum annual earnings used in the calculation are $127,500. ^[6][7]

Treatment costs such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care and approved prescription drugs are covered, and one-way travel of more than 20 km can be reimbursed. ^[8]

Who is covered

Part-time, casual and foreign workers are included, regardless of who was at fault. Sole proprietors and partners are not covered automatically and need to buy Personal Coverage. ^[9]

If you face trouble after reporting

The BC government runs the Workers' Advisers Office, which gives workers free advice and help with compensation claims. It can be contacted if a worker is discouraged from reporting or treated badly after doing so.