The former executive director of the Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers says he encountered a multitude of problems with WSIB claims during his 18 years in Sarnia.
Jim Brophy is reacting to allegations that the province's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board systematically ignores the advice of medical professionals in order to limit otherwise legitimate claims.
Brophy says in many cases those suffering from work-related asbestos disease were turned down.
"These were asbestos-exposed workers that often had markers on their lungs, they were being denied compensation," says Brophy. "It was so widespread that it was shocking."
The Ontario Federation of Labour and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups are formally requesting a full investigation of the WSIB by Ontario Ombudsman Barbara Finlay.
The group includes lawyers and doctors who say their reports were ignored in favour of so-called "paper doctors" who had no contact with the patients.
