Effective September 29, 2023, the new reporting deadline stipulates that the WSIB must receive an employer's complete accident report within three business days after the employer learns of the reporting obligation.
The WSIB previously allowed employers some latitude, only requiring submitting an accident report within seven business days of learning of a reportable accident. This flexibility was to permit additional time for reports to be received by regular mail. Most employers are no longer submitting their accident reports by mail; therefore, the seven business day rule is no longer needed.
Employers should also be aware that there are administrative penalties for non-compliance. At the initial entitlement stage of a claim, the WSIB will levy either a late reporting penalty of $250 or, for those accidents reported after more than 30 calendar days, a penalty of $1,000. Delays due to inefficiencies in the employer's administrative processes are not a valid reason for lateness.