Claim suppression is strictly illegal in New Brunswick. If your employer offers you cash, threatens your job, or pressures you to use private sick days instead of reporting a workplace injury, you must submit a Form 67 directly to WorkSafeNB. You have the right to hire a law firm to protect you from employer retaliation and ensure your medical expenses are covered.
When you are injured on the job, the workers’ compensation system is designed to be your safety net. Unfortunately, some employers care more about their safety records and insurance premiums than the health of their staff. They may try to persuade, bribe, or outright threaten an injured worker to stay quiet. This illegal practice is known as “claim suppression,” and it is a serious violation of the Workers’ Compensation Act.
In this guide, we will outline exactly what to do if your employer in New Brunswick pressures you not to report a workplace injury in 2026. 🔍 Whether you work in a factory in Bathurst, on a construction site in Saint John, or an office in Moncton, you have absolute legal rights. We will explain how to bypass a toxic employer, report the injury directly to WorkSafeNB, and how a local lawyer can defend you against unlawful retaliation.
Step-by-Step Process in New Brunswick
Your employer does not control your right to file a claim. You hold the power. If your boss asks you to lie to the emergency room doctor and say you fell at home, or if they offer to pay your wages out of pocket so you don’t file paperwork, you must take immediate, careful steps to protect yourself legally and medically.
Step 1: Seek Medical Help and Tell the Truth
Your health is the absolute priority. Go to the hospital or your doctor immediately. 👨👀 When the medical staff asks how the injury happened, tell them clearly and honestly that it happened at work. Doctors are legally obligated to report work-related injuries to WorkSafeNB, which creates a vital official record that your employer cannot hide.
Step 2: Submit Form 67 Directly to WorkSafeNB
Normally, both you and your employer fill out the incident report together. If your employer refuses to supply the form or tells you not to submit it, you can bypass them entirely. Go to the WorkSafeNB website, download Form 67 (Report of Workplace Injury), fill out your portion, and submit it directly online or by mail. Do not wait for your employer’s permission.
Step 3: Document the Employer’s Pressure
Gather evidence of the claim suppression. 📁 If your manager sent you text messages telling you to use your private sick leave, save screenshots. If they offered you cash under the table, write down the date, time, and any witnesses present. WorkSafeNB takes these allegations very seriously and relies on this documentation to launch fraud investigations.
Step 4: Contact a Local Law Firm
If your employer discovers that you filed the claim and begins retaliating-such as cutting your hours, demoting you, or suddenly firing you-you must seek legal counsel. A local workers’ compensation or employment lawyer can intervene, file a grievance, or prepare a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against your employer.
How Much Does it Cost in New Brunswick?
You should never have to pay out of pocket for a workplace injury, nor should you accept a cash bribe that ultimately leaves you with zero long-term medical coverage. 💸
- Filing the Claim: Submitting your paperwork to WorkSafeNB is entirely free.
- WorkSafeNB Penalties: If WorkSafeNB investigates and finds your employer guilty of claim suppression, the employer can face administrative penalties of up to $500 for a first violation, up to $2,000 for a second, and up to $10,000 for any subsequent violations.
- Law Firm Fees: If you need a lawyer to fight employer retaliation or appeal a denied claim, most New Brunswick workers’ compensation lawyers work on contingency. This means you pay nothing upfront, and they take roughly 25% to 30% of any settlement or backpay they win for you.
- Lost Benefit Risks: If you accept your employer’s pressure and do not report the injury, you forfeit your right to wage replacement (up to 90% of net earnings) and lifelong medical coverage for that injury.
| Action Taken | Short-Term Result | Long-Term Financial Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Accepting Employer Cash | Immediate payout, no paperwork | Zero coverage for future surgeries or chronic pain |
| Filing with WorkSafeNB | Employer may be angry, investigation starts | Protected wage replacement (up to 2026 limits) |
| Hiring a Lawyer for Retaliation | Legal intervention stops harassment | Potential settlement for wrongful dismissal |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Time is extremely sensitive when reporting injuries. 📅 By law, you should report the injury to WorkSafeNB immediately, but generally, you have a maximum of one year from the date of the accident to file your claim. If you wait longer because your employer pressured you, WorkSafeNB may deny your claim entirely. Once you submit Form 67 against your employer’s wishes, WorkSafeNB typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to investigate and render a decision on your wage replacement benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why would my employer try to stop me from filing a claim?
Employers pay premiums to WorkSafeNB. If their workers file multiple injury claims, the employer’s insurance premiums will increase significantly. Some dishonest companies try to hide injuries to keep their costs low and protect their safety record.
Can I be fired for reporting my injury to WorkSafeNB?
Absolutely not. Firing an employee in New Brunswick as retaliation for filing a legitimate workers’ compensation claim is illegal. If this happens, you have strong grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.
What if my employer refuses to fill out their part of the form?
You do not need their permission. You should submit your worker’s report (Form 67) to WorkSafeNB directly. WorkSafeNB will then contact your employer and legally compel them to submit their necessary reports.
What if the injury happened months ago and I stayed quiet?
You generally have up to one year to file a claim. If you are within that window, file it immediately. Be honest with the WorkSafeNB case manager about why you delayed reporting, providing any proof of employer pressure if you have it.
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