Privacy dependent

The widow of a man killed in a workplace accident complained to us that WSIB would not extend survivor benefits to her son, because it had no evidence that the worker, who was not the boy’s biological father, was his legal parent at the time of the accident.

The widow of a man killed in a workplace accident complained to us that WSIB would not extend survivor benefits to her son, because it had no evidence that the worker, who was not the boy’s biological father, was his legal parent at the time of the accident. The decision letter also provided her no information about how to appeal. When we contacted WSIB staff, they initially told us that, due to privacy concerns, they could not contact the woman because she was not listed as a dependent on the worker’s file. After further reviewing the matter, the WSIB agreed to provide the woman’s lawyer with the worker’s file and the relevant appeal forms.