Before You Do Anything Else
- Don't call just to "talk it through" with no notes.
- Don't agree to anything on the phone you don't understand.
- Don't send a rage email you can't walk back.
Do this first:
- Save a copy of whatever they sent (photo, screenshot, PDF).
- Write the date, what they decided, and how it hits you (lost income, treatment, job).
- Take 10 minutes on this site to figure out what kind of bullshit it is – ignored evidence, contradictory decisions, retaliation, "our records show," etc.
You're not overreacting. You're buying yourself time to respond with strategy, not just pain.
Evidence & Documentation Center
"If it isn't documented, they'll swear it never happened."
You don't need fancy software to start. You need:
- A folder
- A notebook (or notes app)
- A simple system you actually use
Medical Evidence
- Doctor's notes (GP, specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists)
- Physiotherapy/chiro/OT reports
- Imaging requests and results (MRI, X-ray, CT, ultrasound)
- Functional capacity or work limitation forms
- Any 'fit for duty'/'not fit for duty' notes
WorkSafeBC/Agency Documents
- Claim acceptance/denial letters
- Decisions about wage-loss, treatment, return to work, vocational rehab
- Any 'we are closing your file' or 'your condition has resolved' letters
- Case manager emails
- Online portal messages (screenshot them)
- Internal forms they send you to fill out
Employer & Workplace Evidence
- Incident reports/injury reports
- Emails or texts about modified duties, schedule changes after injury
- Notes of conversations with your supervisor/HR
- Write-ups, warnings, 'coaching conversations', discipline letters
- Any mention that you're 'not a good fit anymore'
Money & Survival Evidence
- Pay stubs from before and after the injury
- Records of EI, CPP-D, disability benefits, social assistance
- Rent/mortgage statements
- Overdraft/credit card statements showing when things went sideways
- Any notices: eviction threats, collections letters, shut-off notices
Quick Start: Do These 3 Things Today
- Make a "Claim" folder (on your computer or in a physical box). Put every WorkSafeBC letter and medical note you can find into it.
- Start a simple timeline. Write down 5–10 key dates: Injury, First doctor visit, First acceptance/denial letter, Any big changes (benefits stopped, employer issues).
- Start a call log with your next phone call. Even if it's just a note in your phone: Date, Who, What you asked, What they said.
Call Log Template
| Date | Who | What I asked | What they said |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2025 | [Case Manager Name] | Why wage loss was stopped while my GP still has me off work | "We rely on our internal medical advisors; if you disagree you can request Review." |
File Naming Convention
2025-05-12_GP_Report_Dr-Smith.pdf2025-06-30_WorkSafe_Decision_Stop-Wage-Loss.pdf2025-07-15_Physio_Report_Clinic-Name.pdfBasic idea: YYYY-MM-DD + Source + ShortDescription