You’re not just a claim number. You’re a local worker who needs to get back to your life and your livelihood. At Fit and Fine Rehab, with our deep roots in the Fraser Valley, we understand the unique demands of our local industries. This guide is designed to cut through the complexity and provide clear, actionable steps for workers right here in our community.
Step 1: Immediate Action – What to Do Right After an Injury
Time is of the essence, and your health is the top priority.
- Get First Aid or Medical Attention-06 This is non-negotiable. For serious injuries, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For less urgent issues, see your family doctor, a walk-in clinic in Langley, or an Abbotsford urgent care centre. A medical professional’s report is critical evidence for your claim.
- Report the Injury to Your Supervisor/Employer You must inform your employer immediately, or as soon as possible after the injury. Don't assume they saw it happen. Provide a clear, factual account of what occurred. By law, your employer must then complete and submit an Employer’s Report of Injury or Occupational Disease to WorkSafeBC.
- Document Everything: Jot down the details while they're fresh. Include:
Date, time, and exact location of the incident.
How the injury happened (the specific task you were doing).
Any equipment or substances involved.
Names of any witnesses.
Step 2: Filing Your WorkSafeBC Claim – The Paperwork That Matters
This is the step that often causes the most anxiety, but it’s simply about telling your story accurately.
How to File You can file a claim directly with WorkSafeBC online, by phone, or by filling out a Worker’s Report of Injury form (Form 6A). We often recommend the online portal for its efficiency.
Be Specific and Detailed: When describing your injury, avoid vague language. Instead of "I hurt my back," say "I felt a sharp, sudden pain in my lower right back while lifting a 50lb box at waist height and twisting to place it on a shelf." This clarity helps the WorkSafeBC adjudicator understand the direct link between your work and your injury.
Don’t Delay: There are time limits for filing a claim. The sooner you file, the smoother the process tends to be.
Step 3: What to Expect After You File Your Claim
Once submitted, your claim is assigned to a WorkSafeBC adjudicator who will review the evidence from you, your employer, and your healthcare provider. They will decide on the claim's acceptance.
If Your Claim is Accepted: WorkSafeBC will cover medical expenses (like physiotherapy, chiropractic, and medication) and pay wage-loss benefits if you can’t work. Your focus can then shift entirely to recovery.
If Your Claim is Denied: Don’t panic. You have the right to request a review or appeal the decision. This is a critical moment to seek support, and a clinic like ours can often help provide the necessary medical evidence to support your appeal.
The Unique Workplace Landscapes of Langley, Aldergrove, and Abbotsford
Our communities have distinct industrial profiles, which means certain types of injuries are more prevalent. Understanding this helps us tailor our rehabilitation approach at Fit and Fine Rehab.
Langley Township (Including Willoughby and Murrayville): With booming construction, trade, and healthcare sectors, we commonly see:
Construction: Falls from height, strains from lifting materials, repetitive motion injuries.
Trades: Overexertion, tool-related injuries, and long-term wear-and-tear.
Healthcare: Back injuries from patient handling, workplace violence, and burnout.
Aldergrove A hub for logistics, warehousing, and light industrial work. Common injuries include:
Warehousing Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive lifting, pulling, and packing; slips and falls on warehouse floors; and forklift-related incidents.
Abbotsford The heart of BC's agriculture and manufacturing. Key injury risks are:
Agriculture: Machinery accidents, exposure to chemicals, repetitive strain from harvesting, and vehicle-related incidents.
Manufacturing: Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), crush injuries from machinery, and hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure.
How Fit and Fine Rehab Supports Your Recovery Journey in the Fraser Valley
An accepted WorkSafeBC claim is your green light for recovery. But recovery isn’t just about passive treatment; it’s about active rehabilitation to get you back to work and life, stronger and more resilient than before.
Our multidisciplinary team in the Fraser Valley is dedicated to providing compassionate, results-driven care. We act as your advocate and guide through the WorkSafe system.
Our comprehensive services include:
Kinesiology We don’t just treat the pain; we rebuild the body. Our kinesiologists design personalized, functional exercise programs that mimic your job demands. For a construction worker in Langley, that might mean focused core and leg strengthening. For a warehouse worker in Aldergrove, it’s about safe lifting techniques and grip strength.
Active Rehabilitation This is a cornerstone of our practice. We move beyond passive modalities to restore your strength, endurance, and flexibility, ensuring you’re physically prepared to return to your specific job.
Physical Therapy & Chiropratic We use evidence-based techniques to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and address the root cause of your injury.
Work Conditioning & Functional Strengthening Before you step back on the job site, we simulate work tasks in a controlled environment. This builds confidence and ensures your body is ready for the real thing.
Communication & Advocacy: We maintain clear communication with you, your employer, and WorkSafeBC. We provide detailed progress reports that clearly outline your functional improvements and readiness for a safe return to work.