Advocacy for Injured Workers-Workers Compensation Expert-Gail Cumming
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WCE /  Workers Compensation Expert-

​GailCumming 


Advocacy for Injured Workers

BLOGS and COMMENTS
​​

    E Voice:  1-780-424-3993 

    Fax: 
1-888-320-9383

    Emails:
   

   [email protected]


   [email protected]

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GOVERNMENT ACTION

1/2/2022

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This past weekend Jason Kenny (Alberta Premier), apparently he went to Washington D.C. to

meet with USA Government officials. What Government officials did he meet with in

Washington, on a weekend, what was discussed, what was the outcome, and

what did this adventure cost Albertans, who was with him? I am curious where aris the facts and

​the truth.
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SIMPLY COMPENSATION PODCAST

30/1/2022

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THE ONLY PODCAST AVAILABLE IN CANADA

SPEAKINGS OUT ABOUT THE  WCB SYSTEM SHARING INSIGHT, IDEAS AND INFORMATION ABOUT WORKERS COMPENSATION


PODCAST commencing  June  2022 monthly

I will be offering public podcast. 

The one hour presentation which will a monthly event.



Details will follow including schedule anD a registration list will
be available by March 1 2022.



Past public conferences have been provided and successful.

The public podcast will reach more people to address concerns.


​
"WORKING WITH THE WORKER FOR THE WORKER"

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TIME FOR REFLECTION

11/11/2021

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Most people have noticed that my website changed.

My Current Status:

Recently,I have had to take time to management my own health.

This time for reflection has only gave me the desire to achieve changes in the compensation

system that will better serve all workers. 



Road to recovery has been positive and we never know until the time comes how resilient the

human race is created and what we can achieve. 


I believe any struggle can make or break us, and I have been given the opportunity to work

with the most amazing injured workers most of my life that have taught me this lesson.



Structure of my Advocacy Services:

Currently n
ew client intake is temporarily not being accepted.


On January 2 2022 the website will be updated.

I am pleased to announce that I will have new creative ways to assist all injured workers better

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November 11th, 2021

11/11/2021

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TIME FOR REFLECTION

Most people have noticed that my website changed.
​


My Current Status:

Recently,I have had to take time to management my own health.

This time for reflection has only gave me the desire to achieve changes in the compensation

system that will better serve all workers. 



Road to recovery has been positive and we never know until the time comes how resilient the

human race is created and what we can achieve. 


I believe any struggle can make or break us, and I have been given the opportunity to work

with the most amazing injured workers most of my life that have taught me this lesson.



Structure of my Advocacy Services:

Currently n
ew client intake is temporarily not being accepted.


On January 2 2022 the website will be updated.

I am pleased to announce that I will have new creative ways to assist all injured workers better.

​

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CHANGES TO THE FAIR PRACTICE OFFICE

27/12/2020

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Re: Changes to the Fair Practices Office (FPO)

Bill 47 was introduced to the Legislature on November 5, 2020 and has since passed. This new legislation will impact how current services are delivered. Effective April 1, 2021, the FPO will be closed and any remaining fairness reviews with the FRB will be terminated.
​
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C0VID 19 BLOG

22/12/2020

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BLOG


I am requesting every one that knows me and trust my opinion to send this message to all people in Canada

Workers have asked me how to pay back every thing I have done for them. The time has come
There is question out there if Covid 19 is work related?


There is NO Legislation that would prevent acceptance of COVID 19 claims when it is reasonably related to the work environment. Do not be afraid of submitting a claim, be concerned about NOT submitting a legitimate claim and your long term effects that are not yet determined. It is not only your right is lawful and expected for workers, doctors and employers to submit the Workers Compensation claims.

Under Legislation an occupational disease that is caused by the work environment is work related. If your work has contributed to a physical or psychological injury it is work related.
Do not question your right to apply for compensation. You should submit the claim and WCB must make a decision. If you are a front line worker it is most evident and important.
It is my opinion the Alberta Government is proposing changes to Legislation to attempt to minimize the claims submitted. 
​
Do not listen to anyone that is discouraging you not to put in a claim for compensation. 

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COVID 19 CLAIMS

20/12/2020

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​WCB Alberta link to the report to complete.
https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/workers/c060.pdf
If you are a worker that has tested positive to Covid due to your work site exposure it is important to complete a report regardless if you continue o receive pay or return to work. The concerns are your long term health and wellness.  The physical and the psychological injuries will not automatically be submitted in this crazy time by employers and I want all front line staff, and any other workers that have potential claims to submit their reports to the WCB. At this time you are better safe than sorry and if you can not return to work you should be covered by WCB when your claim is accepted.  The link to report the exposure is above to simplify the process for you. 

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BILL 47 WCB DETAILS COPIED FROM GOVERNMENT WEBSITE

15/12/2020

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https://www.alberta.ca/assets/agency-disclosure/li-workers-compensation-fact-sheet.pdf

Visit www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx for more information
©2018 Government of Alberta| Published: November 2020
Classification: Public
Changes to workers’ compensation laws
Information for Albertans
Objective
The Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act, 2020 amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to restore balance and fairness to the workers’ compensation system to meet the needs of workers and job creators now and into the future. The system will be affordable, sustainable and efficient for workers who become ill or injured on the job. Proposed changes
What is changing, What it means, Effective date
A shorter appeals commission reconsideration process
If a person with a direct interest disagrees with a decision of the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation, they can request that the appeals commission reconsider that decision.
Specific steps and requirements for the reconsideration process will be removed from legislation.
Steps and requirements will be outlined in a guideline document.
This will reduce time and costs for parties involved with a reconsideration request.
April 1, 2021
Benefit of the doubt favouring workers
Benefit of the doubt provisions favour workers in situations where the balance of evidence is approximately equal.
April 1, 2021
Visit www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx for more information
©2018 Government of Alberta| Published: November 2020
Classification: Public
Benefit of the doubt will be removed for medical panel responses to medical dispute questions.
Benefit of the doubt will remain for claim eligibility and appeal decisions.
Revising the cost of living adjustment calculation
The Workers ’ Compensation Board (WCB) will calculate cost of living adjustments for compensation benefits as needed, rather than being adjusted automatically based only on the Alberta consumer price index.
This will save the workers’ compensation system an estimated $240 million in future liabilities.
January 1, 2021
Transitioning Fair Practices Office services
The core services of the Fair Practices Office will be delivered by other organizations beginning April 1, 2021.
Fairness review services will continue to be available free of charge to injured workers and employers. A fairness review officer reporting directly to the WCB will provide these services.
Appeals advisory services will continue to be available free of charge to injured workers and employers through the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation.
These changes will save the workers’ compensation system an estimated $1.8 million per year.
April 1, 2021
Reinstating a maximum insurable earnings cap
A maximum insurable earnings cap will be reinstated.
January 1, 2021
Visit www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx for more information
©2018 Government of Alberta| Published: November 2020
Classification: Public
Injured workers will be compensated at 90 per cent of their pre-injury net earnings up to a maximum earnings cap.
The WCB will set the earnings cap as required.
This will save the workers’ compensation system an estimated $33 million in 2021.
Limiting presumptive coverage for psychological injuries
Presumptive coverage for psychological injuries will be limited to firefighters, police officers, paramedics, peace officers, correctional officers and emergency dispatchers.
Coverage for work-related psychological injuries will remain for other types of workers, but will be accessed through the regular claim process.
WCB will still help all workers diagnosed with a work-related psychological injury get the treatment and supports they need.
This change will save the workers’ compensation system an estimated $230 million over the next three years.
January 1, 2021
Reducing the time limit to appeal a WCB decision
Injured workers and employers will have one year to appeal a WCB decision to the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation.
The current time limit is two years.
This will allow appeals to be resolved more quickly.
April 1, 2021
Review of the funding target range for the Accident Fund
The Minister will advise the WCB to do a review of its funding policy in light of the current fiscal and business context.
April 1, 2021
Visit www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx for more information
©2018 Government of Alberta| Published: November 2020
Classification: Public
The WCB will continue to set the funding target range for the Accident Fund through operational policy.
Distributing Accident Fund surpluses
The Minister will advise the WCB to do a review of its funding policy in light of the current fiscal and business context.
The WCB will continue to set the threshold for distributing surpluses to employers through policy as required.
April 1, 2021
Continuation of wage replacement benefits after a worker is terminated for egregious conduct
If an injured worker is terminated from modified work due to egregious conduct, the WCB will be able to reduce or cease wage replacement benefits.
WCB health benefits and return to work services will still be available to injured workers terminated from modified work due to an egregious act.
January 1, 2021
Requirement for employers to contribute to health benefit plans
Employers will no longer have to contribute to health benefit plans for injured workers who are off work.
Employers may voluntarily choose to continue contributing to the plans.
An injured worker will receive WCB medical and rehabilitation benefits related to their injury while off work.
Non-WCB benefits are outside the scope of workers’ compensation legislation.
April 1, 2021
Employer obligation to reinstate injured workers and accommodate disabled workers.
Employers will not be legally obligated to reinstate an injured worker.
Employers may voluntarily reinstate an injured worker and more than 90 per cent of injured workers were reinstated
April 1, 2021
Visit www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx for more information
©2018 Government of Alberta| Published: November 2020
Classification: Public
voluntarily before it became a legal requirement.
Employers have a duty to accommodate disabled workers through human rights legislation.
Employers will have a duty to cooperate in an injured worker’s early and safe return to work.
Injured workers will have a duty to cooperate with rehabilitation plans.
Transitioning services from the Medical Panels Office
The core services delivered by the Medical Panels Office will transition to the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation by April 1, 2021.
Medical panels are used to resolve differences in medical opinions related to an injured worker’s claim.
This will save the workers’ compensation system an estimated $400,000 per year.
April 1, 2021
Physician choice for independent medical exams
Injured workers retain the right to choose a physician to conduct an independent medical exam if an exam is requested by the WCB.
Injured workers may choose the physician from a list maintained by the WCB.
The physician list was maintained by the Medical Panels Office, which will close by April 1, 2021.
April 1, 2021
Optional case conferencing for medical disputes
Optional case conferencing may be used to resolve medical disputes in workers’ compensation claims prior to having the matter reviewed by a medical panel. Case conferencing will be removed from the Workers’ Compensation Act, but continues to be an option when required.
April 1, 2021

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Government changes - Bill 47

15/12/2020

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Any changes affecting WCB legislation is not a good for Workers of Alberta. - BILL 47 CHANGES BELOW TO BE IMPLEMENTED EARLY 2021
Next time Alberta votes, I encourage Albertans to think about 2020 the Alberta Government response to COVID and ADVERSE changes to the WCB Legislation that will demission benefits and services to injured workers for WCB cost savings. 

Alberta Government  website  https://www.alberta.ca/improving-workplace-health-and-safety.aspx
​ We are reversing some of the costly changes made in 2018 to ensure programs and services remain sustainable and affordable, including:
​Reinstating an insurable earnings cap for injured and ill workers Limiting  presumptive coverage for psychological injuries to firefighters, police officers, peace officers, correctional officers, paramedics and emergency dispatchers Other types of workers still have access to coverage for work-related psychological injuries through the normal claim process Returning the Workers’ Compensation Board’s responsibility to calculate cost of living adjustments, rather than basing them automatically on the Alberta consumer price index Restoring a voluntary system for reinstating an injured worker Maintaining injured workers’ right to choose a physician for a medical exam Removing the requirement for employers to contribute to health benefit plans for injured workers who are off work Continuing to allow the Workers’ Compensation Board to have oversight of the Accident Fund to address the needs of injured workers and employers Moving services provided by the Fair Practices Office and the Medical Panels Office to other organizations to reduce duplication and save money

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No Tolerance Policy for Hatred

5/6/2020

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2020 - Time for change.
“Compassion is the basis of all morality” Arthur Schopenhauer 

For many years this has been a quote I post.

We are all aware of the recent brutal death of Mr. Floyd in the United States. This brings attention to the injustice and lack of equality in the World. We are on this Earth for such a little time. We all should learn from history and positive people like Martin Luther King, and Gandhi, that this World is wonderful and we can all make it a better place.

The 2020 protests for equality will always be remembered, the violence that was involved by some is so sad when a positive message was attempted by most. I hope our Society can move forward without fear of Government and Officials meant to protect us. Most of us have family, friends that are in the Military or in some Protective Organization that properly do their jobs.

If we could live our lives with respect and raise our next generation knowing equality for all. There should not be any discrimination for any race, colour, age, religion, disability, impairment and gender. 

A few months ago I requested on Facebook that no person place derogatory comments on my Face Book. This did happen.

I love my family, friends, clients and the people of the World. That includes all Races. It hurts to see the posts that are negative and do find them offensive.

I will now be removing myself from the Social Media in support of my view that Black lives matter and equality for all.

My website remains and I will continue working with injured workers with struggles with WCB,

Treat all people the way you want to be treated. Simple rule of life


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  • NEW SERVICES Spring 2023
  • WCB Contact Info
  • MEREDITH GOLDEN RULE
  • Foundation to Compensation Meredith Report 1914
  • Blog
  • WCB videos
  • Achievements
  • Links
  • Injustice video of worker
  • Questions
  • Thank You