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Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to download Acrobat Adobe to read the Appeal Division decisions?
Acrobat Adobe is a software program that allows you to view many documents on the Internet. The Appeal Division decisions posted on WorkSafe online exist as Portable Document Format (PDF) files and can be viewed using Acrobat Adobe. Downloading this software onto your computer is straightforward and free of charge.
How do I download Acrobat Adobe?
The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for a variety of platforms. If you are using newer browsers (Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.0 or later), the Acrobat Reader automatically installs a plug in which opens PDF files right inside your browser window. To download the Acrobat Reader from the Adobe site, click on the "Acrobat Reader" icon below and follow the step-by-step instructions on your screen.
How do I print an Appeal Division decision?
With the opened decision on your screen, locate the print icon 
directly above your document (not the print icon on the browser's toolbar):
- Click the print icon
- At the Print window, select the correct print range: all, current page, or selected pages only
- Click OK
How do I search for a particular word or phrase within an Appeal Division decision?
With the opened decision on your screen, locate the search icon 
directly above your document (not the search icon on the browser's toolbar):
- Click the search icon
- Type a word or phrase in text box
- Click Find
This will take you to the first occurrence of the word or phrase. To jump to the next occurrence of the word or phrase:
- Click the search icon
- Click Find Again next to the text box
Alternatively, you can simply click the find again icon 
,
which is located next to the search icon .
(Refer to Search tips to find Appeal Division decisions containing a particular word or phrase.)
How do I cut parts of Appeal Division decisions and paste them into my submissions?
With the opened decision on your screen, locate the text select tool
icon 
directly above your document:
- Click the text select tool
- Move your cursor to where you wish to start your selection
- Drag your cursor to where you wish to end your selection
- Click the copy icon
- Go to the location where you wish to place the highlighted text and paste the selection.
In some cases, such as in Microsoft Office products, you may need to use the edit and paste commands.
Why are only Appeal Division decisions starting from January 1, 2000 available on WorkSafe online?
The Appeal Division issued approximately 15,000 decisions from its inception in 1991 to the end of 1999. Before January 1, 2000, however, the Appeal Division decisions identified parties and witnesses involved in each decision. Consequently, pre-January 1, 2000 decisions could not be posted on WorkSafe online without violating these individuals' right to privacy. Selected Appeal Division decisions from 1991 to date are edited and published as part of the Workers' Compensation Reporter and the Division. Further to a July 17, 2001 resolution of the Panel of Administrators, the Appeal Division will place pre-2000 decisions that meet certain criteria on the site, but the Appeal Division will not otherwise edit and post any pre-2000 Appeal Division decisions.
Why are parties and witnesses not identified in most Appeal Division decisions?
Appeal Division decisions usually deal with extremely personal information, such as claimants' medical information. The provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Workers Compensation Act provide certain privacy rights to parties and others involved in Appeal Division proceedings. To balance the protection of individuals' right to privacy against the public's right to access decision information, the Appeal Division panels have been writing decisions with identifiers removed. Guidelines for writing decisions without identifiers are set out in Appeal Division Decision Number 29 (PDF 65kb).
Why are parties and witnesses identified in Appeal Division Section 11 determinations?
Section 11 determinations by the Appeal Division are an exception to the practice of ensuring identifiers are not present in Appeal Division decisions. This is because Section 11 determinations are issued by the Appeal Division in relation to a specific civil court action, and form a part of the civil action court file. Determinations that have been filed in court become publicly accessible. Since an Appeal Division Section 11 determination becomes a public document through the court filing process, the Appeal Division does not remove identifiers in these decisions.
How do I find statistics on the Appeal Division and copies of its annual reports?
The Appeal Division has published comprehensive annual reports, including detailed statistics, since the Appeal Division's inception in 1991. Annual reports from 1997 to the present are available on the Appeal Division web page. Earlier annual reports are available in printed copies of the Workers' Compensation Reporter at the following volumes and page numbers:
- Volume 8 WCR 637 1991-92
- Volume 11 WCR 117 1992
- Volume 11 WCR 165 1993
- Volume 11 WCR 393 1994
- Volume 12 WCR 143 1995
- Volume 13 WCR 251 1996
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To view PDF documents you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system. To obtain a copy of the free reader visit the Adobe web site. |