Employer Referral Information

Download a copy in pdf format.

If you want a representative or help to prepare for your Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) appeal, you can contact:

Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA)

The OEA provides Ontario employers with free and confidential advice, representation, and education on all workers’ compensation issues. Their free services include appealing final decisions from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to the WSIAT; representing small to mid-sized employers in appeals filed by workers at the WSIAT; and providing confidential advice on claims, work reintegration, registration requirements, obligations, premiums, classifications, and audits. For more information about the OEA, please contact them directly:

1-800-387-0774 (toll-free in Ontario)
416-327-0020 (Toronto)

Lawyers and Paralegals

For a fee, a lawyer or licensed paralegal can assist you in preparing for or presenting your WSIAT appeal. The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) regulates Ontario lawyers and paralegal licensees. To find a lawyer certified as a specialist in workplace safety and insurance law or a licensed paralegal, please contact the Law Society directly:

1-800-668-7380 (toll-free in Ontario)
416-947-3300 (Toronto)
416-644-4886 (TTY)

Representatives who appear before the WSIAT must be licensed by LSO or authorized to provide legal services in accordance with the Law Society Act and its regulations and by-laws. If the status of your representative is unclear, additional information from the representative may be requested, and a determination regarding the status of the representative may need to be made by a Vice-Chair or Panel. For more information, please see WSIAT Practice Direction: Representatives.

All representatives must abide by the WSIAT’s Code of Conduct. For more information please see the WSIAT Practice Direction: WSIAT Code of Conduct for Representatives.

NOTE: If you retain a representative, you must complete an Employer Authorization to Represent Form and submit it to WSIAT.

If you would like a paper version of the documents referenced above, please contact the WSIAT at 416-314-8800, 1-888-618-8846 (toll-free within Ontario), or 416-314-1787 (TTY).