Sunday, August 8, 2010
CanLII, Tembec Inc. v. Wilson., 2010 ONCA 504
Gordon Wilson, Applicant (Respondent)
Tembec Inc., Defendant (Appellant)
August 3, 2010
Facts:
1. Mr. Wilson worked at Tembec since 1st July 1997. He worked as a general manager of operation at the Tembec's sawmill in Kapuskasing. In Nov. 2001, Mr. Wilson was promoted to rank of Director General mills Northern Ontario West, a position that entitles him to oversee the operation of sawmills located Tembec in Kapuskasing, Hearst and Opasatika.
2. In May 2003, Mr. Bastien, a vice-chairpersons of Tembec, became the direct supervisor of Mr. Wilson. Up to this point, Mr. Wilson had recieved very positive performance evaluations. Bastien by cons reduces overall efficiency rating of Mr. Wilson ensuring that it undergoes a reduction of premiums in the short term, as well, Mr. Bastien insists that Mr. Wilson learn French. Mr. Wilson resisted this pressure. In short, Mr. Bastien and Mr. Wilson do not get along.
Circumstances surrounding the dismissal:
3. The chain of events began towards the end of 2004. Tembec decided to close its sawmill in Opasatika and Mr. Wilson is the manage responsible for the accomplished under supervision of Mr. Bastien.
4. Following the closure, Tembec should provide some severance pay to its employees. The status of a worker, Paul Nadeau, was not clearly defined. Mr. Wilson recommended he was an employee and Mr. Bastien is of the opinion that Mr. Nadeau is a contractor. The letters to each employee of the mill are prepared for the signature of Mr. Bastien; Mr. Bastien refused to sign the letter to Mr. Nadeau.
5. Wilson and Guylaine Coulombe, a lawyer and employee of the Department of Human Resources, Tembec meet. Since the letter is in French, Ms. Coulombe helping Mr. Wilson to amend the letter Mr. Nadeau to treat differently from other employees. A few months later Mr. Bastian learned of a letter signed by him to Mr. Nadeau. Initally Mr. Wilson did not remember that he signed the name of Mr. Bastien on this letter but, after ascertained, Mr. Wilson admits that he forged the signature. Mr. Bastien to the matter to Tembec superiors, and on June 21, 2005, Mr. Wilson was dismissed without Tembec investigations about the facts of the case.
Conclusion of Trial Judge:
(a) Mr. Wilson did not attempt to conceal the fact that he had forged the signature of Mr. Bastein on the letter and did not try to convince Mr. Bastien that he had personally signed the letter.
(b) Mr. Wilson believed he was in the best interest of Tembec to grant Mr. Nadeau severance of employment. This belief was objectively reasonable in the light of the totality of the evidence.
(c) Mr. Wilson was concerned about a confrontation and the animosity that surrounded him, and believed that he was not in the best interest of Tembec's refusal to pay severance to Nadeau.
(d) Even if the conduct of Mr. Wilson proved dishonest and insubordinate, the imitation of the signature was an isolated act, and did not reveal a character so flawed that it would make Mr. Wilson untrustworthy. Misconduct was not fraudulent in nature deeply, and was therefore compatible with the maintenance of an employer-employee Tembec. Ultimately the greatest obstacle to this relationship was a clash of personalities and communication problems between Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bastien.
Provision:
6. For the foregoing reasons, we dismiss the appeal.
7. We order that the appellant pay the respondent 20,000.00 US dollars for the costs of the appeal.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Decision No. 701 09, April 29, 2010, WSIAT, Highlights of Noteworthy Decisions
- Employer (job placement)
The worker was placed at a library through a federal government agency employment creation program. The worker was injured while working at the library, near the end of the one-year placement. The Board charged the costs of the claim to the library. The library appealed, claiming that the federal government agency should be the employer of record.
The worker had been employed by the library, pursuant to the federal placement, for almost one year, when the accident occurred. After the accident, the library hired the worker on a short-term basis to compete the project on which he had been working.
As a general principle, an employer who hires a worker is responsible for WSIB costs. It would only be on an exceptional basis, either through applicable Board policy or a clearly understood lawful agreement that an entity other than the employer would be responsible for WSIB cost. The agreement between the library and the federal agency in this case makes no reference to WSIB costs. It does, however, identify the employer as the library. Thus, there were no exceptional circumstances in this case.
The library is the accident employer, and is responsible for WSIB costs of the claim. The appeal was dismissed.
Decision No. 107 10, May 6, 2010, WSIAT, Highlights of Noteworthy Decisions
· Independent operator (truck driver)
· Jurisdiction, Tribunal (right to sue) (statutory accident benefits)
· Right to sue (statutory accident benefits)
· Worker (test)
The driver of a truck was injured in a motor vehicle accident in March 2008. He received statutory accident benefits from the vehicle’s insurer. He did not claim workplace insurance benefits and he did not commence an action. The insurer applied under s. 31 of the WSIA to determine whether the driver’s right of action was taken away and whether the driver was entitled to claim workplace insurance benefits.
The relationship between the driver and transport companies was intricate. On the evidence, the majority of factors point to an employment relationship. The Vice-Chair concluded that the driver was a worker, notwithstanding efforts to describe the driver as an owner-operator.
There has been some divergence in Tribunal decisions whether the Tribunal’s jurisdiction in this type of application is derived from s. 31(1)(a) or (c) of the WSIA. Decision No. 1362/06I found that there was jurisdiction even in cases where a SABs claimant had not commenced an action. That decision found that the word “plaintiff” in s. 31(1)(c) included a claimant for statutory accident benefits. Decision No. 14/06 took a different approach, finding that the applicable provision in such circumstances is s. 30(1)(a) as to whether the right of action is taken away, because that provision does not refer to a plaintiff.
The Vice-Chair preferred the approach in Decision No. 1362/06I, since it did not depend on the right to commence an action as the basis for jurisdiction to address the issue. Although it may be premature to conclude that there is a consensus emerging from recent Tribunal decisions, the Vice-Chair applied the approach in Decision No. 1362/06I and found that “plaintiff” in s. 31(1)(c) including an claimant for statutory accident benefits.
The Vice-Chair concluded that the driver was entitled to claim workplace insurance benefits under the WSIA.
Decision No. 991 09, May 6, 2010, WSIAT, Highlights of Noteworthy Decisions
A. Baker - M. Trudeau - M. Ferrari
· Expenses (child care)
· Human rights (discrimination) (family status)
· Earnings basis (child care)
The worker suffered a compensable injury in May 2006, and received LOE benefits until October 2006. The worker appealed a decision of the Appeals Resolution Officer denying payment of child care expenses. The worker also claimed that the denial of child care expenses was a breach of the Ontario Human Rights Code.
As an Ontario Works client, the worker selected a licensed day care, then applied for a subsidy through the Day Nurseries Act. Entitlement to the subsidy was tied to the worker’s employment status. The subsidy was cancelled after the worker’s injury. Neither the WSIA nor Board policy explicitly provides for child care expenses as a benefit. The worker argued that the child care expenses were a benefit that should be included as part of her income.
The Panel found that the worker was claiming benefits that simply do not exist, and have not been contemplated, under the WSIA. Child care expenses did not come within the definition of earnings in s. 2(1) of the WSIA. A broad interpretation of earnings to include other forms of non-employment-related compensation not specifically provided for under the WSIA would be outside of what was contemplated by the WSIA and outside of the historic trade-off that is embodied in the compensation scheme.
In order to find that a benefit has been denied in a discriminatory manner in violation of the Human Rights Code, there must first be an obligation, in this case a benefit owing to the worker. There has been a deliberate exclusion of child care benefits from the WSIA, with no language that could be described as potentially giving rise to such benefits. There was no reasonable interpretation that would allow granting of child care benefits under the WSIA. It follows that denial of such benefits is not a violation of the Human Rights Code.
The appeal was dismissed.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Decision Number: 20100058, 2010 CanLII 31581 (ON W.S.I.B.)
OBJECTION BY: Worker
WORKER: Participating
EMPLOYER: Participating
REPRESENTATIVES: Worker, Employer
HEARING DATE: April 16, 2010
Issue:
The worker is seeking additional entitlement for a hernia. This was denied in the Eligibility Adjudicator's decision letter of May 19, 2009.
How the Issue Arose:
On January 10, 2008 this now 49 year old worker fell a short distance, was caught by his safety harness, but hit his back on a skid. Entitlement was allowed for a mid back strain, there was no medical indication for lost time, and the employer was able to provide regular work not involving heights. Further medical investigations due to a hip pain indicated mild degenerative changes bilaterally; osteoarthritis is greater in the right hip, mild sclerosis involved the acetabulum bilaterally. A CT scan of the head was normal compared to a prior scan in May of 2006. In September 2006 the worker was diagnosed with a hernia which he related to the mid back accident. Entitlement was denied. This was surgicallt corrected in December 2008. The worker had surgery on April 8, 2009 for an unspecified condition.
Assessment of the Evidence:
The employer representative was surprised that the doctor related the hernia to the January work incident. This was not diagnosed until 10 months after the work incident and there is no medical continuity about a hernia. The doctor has not accurately documented any history of hernia or its development, nor was there any mention of an accident in September. There was notification of a new work injury and there were no medical forms completed documenting any incident. There is no contemporaneous medical data to support a new accident or any aggravating incident.
I am unable to substantiate that any new work injury or aggravating incident occurred in September 2008. The worker is a poor historian and was unable to provide any accurate or convincing evidence of an event that supposedly happened in September 2008. There is no report of a new injury or a recurrence of a prior injury and the employer has no records of a new work event. There is no claim file data to support such a view.
It is also unlikely that the worker experienced a hernia on the day of accident on January 10, 2008. On that day the worker injured his mid back and he did not require time off work or medical precautions. It was a minor incident without permanent impairment. This view is supported by the objective medical observations of the rheumatologist, dated October 24, 2009.
This specialist states that the worker discovered a small soft lump over the right inguinal area at the beginning of October 2008. The hernia did not arise from the workplace incident in January, it developed in the autumn of 2008 several months later.
It was noted that this worker had a prior, non-compensable hernia in the same location
a number of years ago. Also, it is curious to note that the worker had a CT scan of his head two years prior to the work accident. There is insufficient data to medically connect the hernia to the work accident.
Conclusion:
The worker's objection is denied, there is no entitlement for a hernia.
Decision Number: 20100071, 2010 CanLII 35728 (ON W.S.I.B.)
OBJECTION BY: Worker
WORKER: Participating
EMPLOYER: Participating
REPRESENTATIVES: Worker, Employer
Issue:
1. The employer is objecting to the allowance of initial entitlement. The claim was allowed in the decision letter of January 29, 2009 and upheld in thr review letter of June 24, 2009.
2. The worker is objecting to the discontinuation of LOE benefits after August 24, 2009. This was determined in the claims adjudicator's decision of July 3, 2009.
How the Issue Arose:
On December 2, 2008, this now 55 year old worker injured his back while lifting boxes and was diagonsed with an upper back strain. The treatment consisted of rest, analgesics, and muscle relaxants. X-rays of the thoracic spine were normal while an x-ray of the right shoulder showed osteoarthritic changes of the AC joint. Return to work restrictions included avoiding lifting floor to waist, waist to shoulder, and above shoulder lifts. Prolonged positioning should also be avoided. Due to the worker's claim of being unable to work, he was referred to a Regional Evaluation Centre (REC) on June 25, 2009. The worker was diagnosed with resolving thoracic strain, he had partially recovered, and a full recovery was expected in 8-10 weeks with continuing threapy. Entitlement to therapy and continuing benefits stopped on August 24, 2009. The employer relationship ended due to unrelated reasons. The working is claiming to be totally disabled and unable to perform any work.
Assesment of the Evidence:
The accident history as described by the worker remains consistent with the contemporaneous claim file and medical documentation and have no reason to doubt that an injury occured on December 2, 2008. The worker was involved in both heavy and repetitive lifting, this task is normally performed by more than one person. The worker performed this work on his own, was injured, sought medical attention, and reported a workplace injury. The claim remains allowed.
The findings of the REC assessment remain valid and there is no objective basis to allow any continuing entitlement beyond August 24, 2009. There are no significant findings to account for the worker's purported pain levels or to support his claim to be unable to work.
There are a number of complicating factors of a non-compensable nature that may account for the worker's continuing pain. It is noted that the worker had a multi-level lumbar decompression almost 3 decades ago and a history of right shoulder pain. The source of his pain no longer seems to be in relation to the upper back strain that be experience on Dec 2, 2008.
Conclusion:
1. The employer’s objection is denied. The claim remains allowed for an upper back strain on December 2, 2008.
2. The worker’s objection is denied. The claim was appropriately finalled on August 24, 2009. There is no additional entitlement to LOE benefits.
Decision Number: 20100073, 2010 CanLII 35604 (ON W.S.I.B.)
OBJECTION BY: Worker
EMPLOYER: Not Participating
REPRESENTATIVES: Worker
Issue:
The worker objects to the denial of entitlement to Loss of Earnings (LOE) benefits between March and June, 2009 for medical treatment/physiotherapy.
How the Issue Arises:
On January 23, 2001, the worker, who was employed as a Mechanical Maintainer, injured his low back when he bent over and moved a soot blower. He was dianosed with a lumbar strain. Entitlement was granted and benefits were paid in accordance with the medical evidence received. Initially there was no loss of time however the worker laid off on June 28, 2001 as a result of ongoing problems and this recurrence was accepted. Recurrences were further accepted from June 20 to July 2, 2006 and July 11 to 17, 2006, as well as lost time in November and December of 2006. On October 11, 2007 a WSIB Chiropractic Consultant reviewed his file but it was unclear whether or not this was a care for further entitlement. An Independent Medical Examination was done in November 2007 and the worker was referred for a Non-Economic Loss (NEL) assessment. The worker subsequently had further recurrences from Feb, 2007 to May, 2008. He claimed further lost time to attend medical treatment/physiotherapy for various days between March 26, 2009 and June 12, 2009. The workers request for reimbursement for lost time to attend medical appointments between March and June, 2009 was denied. In the meantime, the worker was granted a 14% NEL award in June, 2009.
Assessment of the Evidence:
What is important to note is that this case was at the 72 month final review stage as of Janurary 23, 2007. LOE benefits may be extended beyond the 72 month lock-in date if the worker is either co-operating in a Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) plan or there is a significant deterioration in the worker's condition subsequent to the 72 month mark. The worker was not involved in an LMR program as he remained employed by the employer. Thus benefits cannot be considered on the first basis.
When reviewing the policy for payment of LOE benefits when there is a significant deterioration, in the case of the worker, he was considered to have reached a point of Maximum Medical Rehabilitation in November, 2007. Medical documentation on file both before and after March, 2009 does not confirm that his condition was significantly worse in either March, April, May or June.
Conclusion:
The worker's objection is denied.