Recognize PTSD as a work-related occupational disease

For occupations like paramedics, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not recognized as a work-related occupational disease by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB).  This means that those afflicted by PTSD cannot receive compensation for the WCB.  Given the reality of PTSD in professions that deal with trauma, this should be recognized.

Notes

Met with paramedic Jason Woodbury from CUPE Local 3324 to discuss how we can move forward with amendments to the PEI Workers Compensation Act to recognize PTSD as a work-related occupational disease.  Agreed that steps are to prepare draft legislation, form a working group to review the draft, amend as needed and then bring it to the floor of the legislature.

"Let's help those, who help us" seems @JamieDFox @bradtrivers see the importance of #ptsd Leg on #pei #cupelocal3324 great meeting!

— Jason Woodbury (@JasonWoodbury2) March 16, 2016

References

Government of Manitoba – The Workers Compensation Act

“occupational disease” means a disease arising out of and in the course of employment and resulting from causes and conditions

(a) peculiar to or characteristic of a particular trade or occupation;

(b) peculiar to the particular employment; or

(b.1) that trigger post-traumatic stress disorder;

“post-traumatic stress disorder” means Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as that condition is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; (« trouble de stress post-traumatique »)

Presumption re post-traumatic stress disorder

4(5.8)      If a worker

(a) is exposed to a traumatic event or events of a type specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a trigger for post-traumatic stress disorder; and

(b) is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by a physician or psychologist;

the post-traumatic stress disorder must be presumed to be an occupational disease the dominant cause of which is the employment, unless the contrary is proven.

Effective date of presumption re post-traumatic stress disorder

4(5.9)      The presumption in subsection (5.8) applies to a worker who is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder on or after the day that subsection comes into force.

4(6)        [Repealed] S.M. 1989-90, c. 47, s. 4.

Manitoba PTSD legislation: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=35114