WSIB Claims and Sick Notes in Ontario: What Workers Need to Know (2026)
Workplace injury in Ontario? Understanding the difference between WSIB claims and regular sick notes can save you thousands in lost benefits.
## WSIB Claims vs. Sick Notes: Understanding the Difference
If you're injured at work in Ontario, you may be confused about whether you need a regular sick note or WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) documentation. The answer matters — it determines whether you receive full wage replacement benefits or just your employer's standard sick leave.
### When to File a WSIB Claim vs. Using a Sick Note
| Situation | Use WSIB | Use Sick Note |
|---|---|---|
| Injury happened at work | ✓ | |
| Repetitive strain from work tasks | ✓ | |
| Illness caused by workplace exposure | ✓ | |
| Personal illness unrelated to work | | ✓ |
| Mental health from workplace harassment | ✓ | |
| Pre-existing condition worsened by work | ✓ (partially) | |
| Commuting accident | | ✓ |
### WSIB Benefits vs. Sick Leave
**WSIB provides:**
- 85% of net earnings (tax-free) from day one
- Full healthcare coverage for the injury
- Vocational rehabilitation if needed
- No cap on duration (as long as medically necessary)
**Regular sick leave provides:**
- 3 unpaid days under ESA (or employer-provided paid days)
- EI Sickness Benefits: 55% of earnings for up to 26 weeks
- No coverage for treatment costs
### Medical Documentation Required for WSIB
Your treating physician must complete a **Form 8 (Health Professional's Report)** within the first few days of treatment. This form includes:
1. **Diagnosis** — What injury or condition was identified
2. **Mechanism of injury** — How the workplace caused or contributed to it
3. **Functional abilities** — What you can and cannot do
4. **Treatment plan** — Recommended care and timeline
5. **Expected recovery** — Estimated return-to-work date
### Common Mistakes That Delay WSIB Claims
1. **Waiting too long to report** — Report within 24 hours if possible
2. **Seeing a doctor who won't complete Form 8** — Ensure your physician is willing to complete WSIB paperwork
3. **Not mentioning it happened at work** — Always tell your doctor the injury is work-related
4. **Using a sick note instead of filing WSIB** — This costs you benefits and protections
5. **Not keeping records** — Document everything: incident reports, witness names, photos
### When You Need Both WSIB and a Sick Note
Sometimes you need both:
- **Waiting for WSIB approval** — Use sick leave while your claim is processed
- **Partial work-relatedness** — Some conditions are partly work-related, partly personal
- **Denied WSIB claim** — You'll need a regular sick note while appealing
### How MedLetter Can Help
While MedLetter cannot complete WSIB Form 8 (this requires your treating physician), we can help with:
- **Sick notes while waiting for WSIB approval** — Don't go without documentation during processing
- **Return-to-work letters** after your WSIB claim closes
- **Modified duties documentation** for gradual return
- **Appeal support letters** if your claim was denied
**Need documentation for a workplace injury? [Get started here](/get-started/sick_note)**