Case Summary : Decision-Making Process

Accommodating work restrictions

In January, a case manager told an injured worker she was fit to return to her pre-injury employment as a heavy equipment operator despite a finding by the regional evaluation centre that the worker had permanent injury-related restrictions in her left shoulder. The worker submitted detailed information about her job duties to support her position that she needed job modifications to perform the work. She asked for a review of her regular job duties.

The worker contacted the Commission after receiving no response to her, and her lawyer’s, calls and letters. A Commission specialist spoke to the manager, who reviewed the file and asked the case manager to call the worker and arrange for a referral to a return-to-work specialist. The worker and employer began working with the specialist to ensure that her job can accommodate her restrictions.