Workplace accidents are becoming more common than ever. 200 thousand claims were registered to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in 2017.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Hearing and vision loss
- Back injuries or strains
- Musculoskeletal injuries
There is a demand of support for injured workers. That’s what London’s Injured Workers Support group strives to do. The group started in 2004 with funding through WSIB.
“We help them with all the aspects of their claim, we go to their meetings with them. We offer any kind of education that they need to understand the WSIB system. It’s a very, very difficult journey to suddenly find yourself in a minute looking at changing your whole life. Everything you know and love.”
–Marge Waller, Executive Director of London’s Injured Workers Support Group
Getting injured on the job is something Paulo Braga never thought would happen to him. Braga worked in construction as a brick layer for 47 years, until he fell off scaffolding that was 10 foot drop one year ago. Now, he has to find a new job as his injuries won’t allow him to return to the construction trade.
“I fell on my toes and crushed my right foot. All the bones in my foot are broken in the opposite way. The doctors showed me how bad it was and they said yours is the worst. You’re not going to be able to walk.”
-Paulo Braga, Injured Worker
WATCH: More on Paulo’s injury
Braga continues to make progress with physio therapy and taking English language lessons to widen his career options in order to return to the working world. Braga says it’s been tough but he’s proud of all that he’s accomplished with the help of London’s Injured Workers Support group.
“I spent six months in a wheel chair and then started to walk with a walker and now I use a cane and have orthotics. I’m just trying to learn to walk again.”
Many injured workers like Paulo seek support and assistance from London’s Injured Workers Support group. Find out more information at their website.
