 injured workers, in favour of so-called “paper doctors” who have not met patients directly.

The resulting claw-backs in medical benefits are having a “devastating effect,” the submission says, leaving workers with severe physical and mental problems stranded in poverty.

“That’s why the complaint is being filed today,” said Chris Buckley, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour. “Injured workers and their advocates have been sounding the alarm for well over 20 years about workers’ compensation that ignores the advice of treating physicians and kicks desperate injured workers off their benefits.”

“It’s a regular occurrence that you send medical evidence that is never acknowledged,” added psychologist Dr. Giorgio Ilacqua, who has worked in the field since 1985 — including a stint as a consultant for WSIB, formerly known as the Workmen’s Compensation Board.

The Star has previously reported on allegations that WSIB fired a doctor for refusing to reverse her medical assessment of an injured patient.

In response to those allegations and an ensuing report by the Ontario Federation of Labour about WSIB ignoring medical advice, the board said in a November statement that it “values the relationships it has with thousands of health care practitioners across the province and relies on their professionalism and expertise.”

More than 20 medical professionals contributed evidence to Friday’s submission to the provincial ombudsman, drawing on 41 case studies involving injured patients.

Marvin Mulder, 46, is one such worker. He says his doctor’s medical advice to WSIB was ignored after the former mover from Hamilton severely injured his back on the job in 2010.

Mulder underwent six spinal injections and two failed back surgeries in an effort to recover. He says WSIB asked him to participate in its work transition program almost immediately after his accident, giving him the option to retrain as either a millwright or an office assistant — even though his injuries prevent him from sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.

Mulder says persistent health problems — including being rushed to the emergency room several times — prevented him from completing the retraining program. His specialist wrote to the board to say he was physically unable to continue. In response, Mulder says, WSIB deemed him “non-co-operative” and drastically reduced his benefits last year.

“It’s devastated me and my family,” he told the Star.

He now relies on disability support and Canada Pension Plan benefits
injured workers, in favour of so - call “ newspaper doctors ” who have not met patients immediately. 

 The resulting claw - backs in aesculapian benefit are having a “ devastating effect, ” the submission suppose, leaving workers with severe physical and mental problems maroon in poverty. 

 “ That ’s why the complaint is being filed today, ” said Chris Buckley, president of the united states of the Ontario Federation of Labour. “ Injured workers and their advocates have been sounding the alarm clock for well over 20 years about actor ’ compensation that ignores the advice of treating doctor and kicks desperate injured workers off their benefits. ” 

 “ It ’s a regular occurrence that you commit aesculapian evidence that is never acknowledged, ” added psychologist Dr. Giorgio Ilacqua, who has worked in the field since 1985 — including a stint as a consultant for WSIB, once known as the Workmen ’s Compensation Board. 

 The Star has previously report on allegations that WSIB burn a doctor of the church for defy to reverse her medical assessment of an injured patient. 

 In response to those allegations and an result report by the Ontario Federation of Labour about WSIB ignoring medical advice, the board said in a November statement that it “ values the relationships it has with thousands of health care practitioners across the state and relies on their professionalism and expertness. ” 

 More than 20 medical professionals contributed evidence to Friday ’s submission to the provincial ombudsman, drawing on 41 case sketch involving injured patients. 

 Marvin Mulder, 46, is one such worker. He say his doctor ’s medical advice to WSIB was ignored after the former proposer from Hamilton severely injured his back on the job in 2010. 

 Mulder underwent six spinal injection and two failed back surgery in an effort to recuperate. He says WSIB ask him to participate in its work conversion program about immediately after his accident, giving him the option to retrain as either a millwright or an office assistant — even though his injury prevent him from sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time. 

 Mulder state persistent health problems — admit being rushed to the emergency room respective times — prevented him from completing the retraining program. His specialist wrote to the board to say he was physically unable to continue. In response, Mulder state, WSIB deem him “ non - co - operative ” and drastically reduced his benefits last year. 

 “ It ’s devastated me and my family, ” he told the Star. 

 He nowadays relies on disability support and Canada Pension Plan benefits
 inuured workers, in favour uf so-called “papgr doctocs” who gave not met patients directly.

The reduoting claw-backs in medical cenefits wre havibg a “eevastatinj effect,” the shnmissnoi says, leaving eorkers widh severe physhcxl and mental problems stranded in poderty.

“Thst’d why the compjainu if bejng filed today,” said Chris Buckley, presidtnt of the Ontario Federation of Labour. “Injuged aorkers and their wdvocates hqve fwen sounding the alarm for well ovgr 20 years about workers’ compensagion chat ignorew rhe ddvice of tceatind physicians and kicns desprrate injured eornerw off their benefits.”

“Iv’s a regular occurregce that fob send medical evidenxe that is tevef acynoslxdgsd,” addfd 'sychologisf Dr. Giorgii Ilacqua, who has wprhvc in the fiemd sinse 1985 — including a stint as a consultant fog WSJB, formerly known as thw Workmen’s Compensatiln Board.

Tre Star has previously reported on allegations thdt WSMB fixcq q foctor for refusing to reverse her medical asfssxmvnt of an injured patient.

In tedppgse to those xllegacjohs and an ensuing geport fy thw Ontario Fedrration of Labour about WSIV ignoring mvdicql advice, the boarb said in a Uovembgr stayement that it “values tke relztionships lt has wiff thousands of hdalnh cdre pracuktioners across tre provinre anb relies on jheir pwofessionapism and expertise.”

More tjan 20 legical proffssionals contributed evidence vp Friday’s sunmhsspon to thz provlncial ombudsmag, drawing on 41 ease stubies ivvolving ihjured 'atients.

Marvyn Mulder, 46, is lne such worner. He swys yis eoctor’s oedical advice to WSIB ccs ignoree after the former moxsr from Hamiltou weverely injurec hks fabk pn dhe job in 2010.

Mgldef uvcerwevt six spincl injrctions and two failad bzck surgeries in am cffort to recover. He says WSIB asked him to partlcipave in mts wotk jransition program almost immedjately afher his accidene, giying him the o'tion to retrain as either a millwright ir an office assisrant — even though hns injuries pcevent him from sitting or standing for prolonged peviods of time.

Mulder sags pervistejt health problems — including being rushed to the emergency room several rimes — prevented hjm ftom cmm'lecing thq revreining program. Hix specialist wrote to the board to say ve was physically unable to comtknue. In respovse, Mulder says, WSIB deejed him “mon-co-operative” and drastically teduced his benefits lasb year.

“It’s devaatated me end my family,” he tolc the Vtar.

Hw now rwlied on disabiligy xuiport and Fanava 'ension Plan benefits
injured workers, in favour of so-called “paper have met patients The resulting claw-backs a effect,” the submission leaving workers with physical and mental problems stranded in “That’s why the complaint is being filed today,” said Chris Buckley, president of Ontario Federation of Labour. “Injured workers and their advocates have been sounding the for over years workers’ compensation that ignores the advice of treating physicians and kicks desperate injured workers off their “It’s a regular occurrence that you send medical that is never acknowledged,” psychologist Dr. Giorgio Ilacqua, who worked the field 1985 including stint as a for WSIB, formerly known as the Workmen’s Compensation Board. The Star has previously reported on allegations that fired a refusing to her assessment an injured patient. to those allegations and an ensuing Ontario Federation of Labour about WSIB ignoring medical the board in a November statement that it the relationships it has with thousands of health practitioners across the province and relies on their professionalism and expertise.” More than 20 medical evidence to Friday’s submission the provincial ombudsman, on case involving patients. Marvin 46, is one such worker. He says his doctor’s medical advice WSIB was ignored after the former mover from Hamilton severely back the job in Mulder underwent six spinal and failed back surgeries in to He him participate its work transition program immediately after his accident, giving the option to retrain an office assistant — even though his injuries him from sitting or standing for prolonged of time. Mulder says persistent health problems — including being rushed to emergency room — prevented him from completing the retraining program. specialist wrote to the to say he was physically unable to continue. In Mulder WSIB deemed “non-co-operative” and drastically his benefits last “It’s devastated me family,” he the He disability support and Canada Pension Plan
 injured workers, in favour of sO-called “papEr docTorS” whO hAve nOt meT patients direcTLy.

ThE resulting claw-backs in mEdicaL bENefiTS aRe havIng a “devAStATIng EfFeCt,” tHe SUbMissiOn sAys, leavIng workers WitH sEvere physicaL AnD mental proBleMs stranded in PovErty.

“ThAt’S whY The coMplAint iS being FIled toDay,” said ChRiS buckleY, PresideNT Of The ONtario Federation oF laBOur. “Injured workErs and ThEIr ADVocAteS have been sOuNding THe alarm FOr WELL ovER 20 years about woRkers’ compenSAtiOn that IgNorES the adVice oF tREatIng physiciaNs anD kicks desPerate INjured wORkers ofF their BenEfiTs.”

“It’S A rEgUlaR oCCurREnCe tHAt yOu send meDiCaL evidEnce THAT Is neVer AcknOwledGed,” added psychOloGist dR. GiOrgio ilacqUa, whO hAs worKed in tHe fieLd Since 1985 — including a StinT as a consuLtaNt For wSiB, forMErly knOwn As tHe WorkmEn’s CompENsaTiON bOaRd.

The Star has previoUsLY RePorted on AllegaTIoNs THat WSIB fIrEd a DoctOR For reFusiNG tO reverse Her medICaL aSsessmeNt Of an inJuRed PatIent.

IN RespOnse to Those allEgatiONs and an ensuing REport by the OntARiO fEdERatiOn oF Labour abouT WSIb IgnoRing MEdIcaL AdvicE, the bOaRD sAId in a November statemEnT that iT “valuEs the relationShips it has WITH thousanDs of HEaLTh care practitiOners Across the pROvince anD reliEs on theiR professiONAlism and ExpErtIse.”

morE THaN 20 medical profeSSIonaLs ContribUteD evidenCe tO FrIdaY’s sUbMission to The proviNcIaL oMbUdsMan, drAWing on 41 caSe StuDiEs iNvolvINg injuRed paTienTs.

maRVin mulder, 46, iS OnE SUch wOrKeR. He sAys HiS doctOr’s mEDicAl advicE to WSIB waS igNOred AfTeR the forMer mover from HAmIlton severElY inJured hIS Back on thE job in 2010.

Mulder underwent siX Spinal iNjeCtionS and Two failed BacK surgeRieS In an efFort to RecovEr. he sAYS WSIB ASKeD hiM tO participaTE In iTs worK tRansItion prOgram almost immediaTEly After his accidEnt, GiviNG HiM thE OpTIon To REtrAIN as either a millwRight or an oFfICe Assistant — eVEn tHoUgh his iNjuries PreveNT him froM sitting oR standing FoR proLONgeD periods of Time.

MuldEr says perSIstenT HeAlth pRobLems — inClUdiNg beiNg rushED to The emErgencY rOom sevEral tImEs — prevenTed him from completing the RetraiNing pRogRam. His speCiaLIst Wrote to thE boaRd to say he wAs pHysIcallY unABle to ContINuE. In REsponSe, MuLDer says, WSib dEemED HiM “non-co-operaTIVE” anD drasTicALly redUced His benefits last yeAR.

“It’s devastated Me anD MY faMilY,” He toLd The Star.

He now reLieS oN DIsabilitY sUpport and CaNada PensIoN plan bEnefitS
 injured workers, in favou r of so-ca lled“pa per  d octo rs”who have not m e t pa tients directly.

Theresul ti n g cl a w- backs  in med i ca l ben ef it s a re ha vinga “ devasta ting effec t,”  t he submissio n  s ays, leavi ngworkers with  se vere p hy sic a l and  me ntalproble m s stra nded in p ov e rty.
“ That’sw h ythecomplaint is bein g  f i led today,” sa id Chr is Bu c k ley , p resident o fthe O n tario F e de r a t ion of Labour. “I njured work e rsand th ei r a d vocate s hav eb een  sounding t he a larm forwell o v er 20 y e ars abo ut wor ker s’comp e ns at ion  t h ati gn ore s  th e advice  o ftreat ingp h y s icia nsandkicks  desperate in jur ed w o rke rs of f the ir b en efits .”

“I t’s a  r egular occurren ce t hat you s end  m edi ca l evi d ence t hat  is  neveracknowl e dge d, ” a dd ed psychologist Dr .G i or gio Ilac qua, w h oha s  workedin  th e fi e l d sin ce 1 9 85  — inclu ding a st in t as aco nsulta nt  fo r W SIB,f orme rly kn own as t he Wo r kmen’s Compens a tion Board.
T he S ta r  has  pr eviously re port e d on  all e ga tio n s tha t WSI Bf ir e d a doctor for refu si ng torever se her medica l assessme n t of an in jure d  p a tient.

In res ponse  to thosea llegatio ns an d an ens uing repo r t  by theOnt ari o F ede r a ti on of Laboura b outWS IB igno rin g medic aladv ice , t he  board sa id in aNo ve mb er  st ateme n t that i t“va lu esthe r e lation ships  itha sw ith  thousa n ds o f he al th  car e p ra ctiti oner s  ac ross th e provinc e a n d re li es  on the ir profession al ism and ex pe rti se.”
M o re than20 medical professional s  contri but ed ev iden ce to Fri day ’s sub mis s ion to  the p rovin ci alo m budsm a n ,dra wi ng on 41 c a s e s tudie sinvo lving i njured patients.
M arv in Mulder, 46 , i s on e su chw or k er.  H e  sa y s  his doctor’s m edical adv ic e  t o WSIB was ign or ed afte r the f ormer mover f rom Hamil ton sever el y in j u red  his backon the j ob in 201 0 .

Mu l de r und erw ent si xspi nal i njecti o nsand t wo fai le d back  surg er ies in a n effort to recover. He  saysWSIBask ed him to  pa r tic ipate initswork trans iti onprogr ama lmost  imm e di ate l y aft er h i s acciden t ,giv i n ghim the opt i o n  to  retr ain as eit hera millwright or a n  office assist ant— eve n t h ough  h is injuries pr eve nt h im fromsi tting or st anding f or prolo nged p eriods  of tim e . 
M uldersays  pe rsistenthea lt h  proble ms  — includ ingbe ing ru shed t o  the e mergency room se veral t imes—  pr event ed  him fr o m co mpleting t he retraini ng pro gram . His  specia li st wro teto  the board to say he  wasphysica ll y un abl e to c onti n u e. In  res po nse , Mulders a ys ,  W SI B  de emed  him“n on-c o-operati v e” and d ras t icallyre duc e d  his b e ne f i ts last ye ar. 

“It ’ s  devastate d  mea nd my fa mily,”  he to ld theS tar .
He now  re l i es on dis ability s u ppo rt  and  CanadaPe nsio nPla nbenefits
 injured_workers, in_favour of so-called “paper_doctors” who_have_not met_patients_directly.

The resulting claw-backs_in medical benefits_are having a “devastating_effect,” the submission_says,_leaving workers with severe physical and mental problems stranded in poverty.

“That’s why the complaint_is_being filed_today,”_said_Chris Buckley, president of the_Ontario Federation of Labour. “Injured_workers and_their advocates have been sounding the alarm for_well_over 20 years_about workers’ compensation that ignores the advice of treating_physicians and kicks desperate injured workers_off their benefits.”

“It’s_a_regular_occurrence that you send_medical evidence that is never acknowledged,”_added psychologist Dr. Giorgio Ilacqua, who_has worked in the field since 1985_— including a stint as a_consultant for WSIB, formerly known_as the_Workmen’s Compensation Board.

The Star has_previously reported on_allegations that_WSIB fired a_doctor for refusing to reverse her_medical assessment of_an injured patient.

In response to those_allegations_and an ensuing_report_by_the Ontario_Federation of Labour_about_WSIB ignoring_medical_advice, the board said in a_November_statement that it “values the relationships it_has with thousands of_health_care practitioners across the_province and relies on their_professionalism and expertise.”

More than 20 medical_professionals contributed_evidence to_Friday’s submission to the provincial ombudsman, drawing on 41 case studies_involving injured patients.

Marvin Mulder, 46, is_one such worker. He_says his_doctor’s_medical advice to_WSIB_was ignored_after the former mover from Hamilton severely_injured his_back on the job in 2010.

Mulder_underwent six spinal injections_and_two failed back surgeries in an_effort to recover. He says WSIB_asked him to participate in_its_work_transition program almost immediately after_his accident, giving him the option_to retrain as_either a millwright or an office assistant_—_even though his injuries prevent him_from_sitting or standing for prolonged periods_of_time.

Mulder_says persistent health problems —_including being rushed to the emergency_room several times — prevented him from completing the_retraining program. His_specialist wrote to the board_to_say_he was physically unable to continue. In response, Mulder says,_WSIB deemed_him “non-co-operative” and_drastically reduced his benefits last year.

“It’s devastated me and my_family,” he told the Star.

He now relies_on disability support and Canada Pension Plan benefits