Electricians and utility workers in Ontario who suffer a severe electrical shock can claim WSIB benefits not only for immediate emergency care but also for secondary conditions like delayed nerve damage (neuropathy) and PTSD. Documenting the shock immediately is crucial, as secondary neurological symptoms may take months to fully appear.
Working with electricity is inherently dangerous. For tradespeople and utility line workers across the province, the risk of a high-voltage shock is a daily reality. 📍 Whether you are rewiring a commercial building in Toronto, fixing grid lines in London, or doing industrial maintenance in Kingston, a severe electrical shock can alter the course of your life in an instant.
While the immediate burns and cardiac risks of an electrocution are obvious, the hidden long-term consequences are often devastating. Many workers survive the initial shock but develop severe neurological tingling, chronic pain, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) months later. Claiming these secondary injuries through the WSIB requires precise medical evidence. Retaining a dedicated workers’ compensation law firm is highly recommended to connect these delayed symptoms back to the original workplace accident.
Step-by-Step Process in Ontario
A claim for an electrical injury often evolves over time. What starts as a simple emergency room visit can turn into a complex claim involving multiple medical specialists. The key to success is aggressive early documentation.
Step 1: Get Immediate Emergency Cardiac Care
Never shrug off an electrical shock, even if you feel fine. Electrical currents can disrupt your heart’s rhythm and cause delayed cardiac arrest. Go straight to the hospital emergency room for an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac monitoring. Tell the triage nurse you suffered an occupational electrical shock so they document the exact voltage and entry/exit points on your body.
Step 2: File the Initial Form 6 (Worker’s Report)
Report the electrocution to your supervisor and submit a Form 6 to the WSIB immediately. Do not wait to see if you develop long-term symptoms. Establishing the accepted claim for the initial shock is the foundation you need in case things get worse later. ⚠ Describe exactly what happened, the tools involved, and the voltage level if known.
Step 3: Monitor for Delayed Neurological Symptoms
Electrical current travels through the path of least resistance in the body, which is often the nervous system. Over the next few weeks and months, be vigilant for symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness in your hands, or chronic pain. If these occur, return to your doctor immediately and request a referral to a neurologist for nerve conduction studies.
Step 4: Request Secondary Condition Coverage
If a neurologist diagnoses you with neuropathy, or a psychiatrist diagnoses you with PTSD due to the trauma of the near-death experience, you must ask the WSIB to add these as secondary conditions to your existing claim. You will need a strong medical report explaining the “medical nexus”-how the electrical shock directly caused this new condition.
Step 5: Participate in a Return to Work (RTW) Plan
If you suffer from nerve damage or PTSD, returning to your regular duties may be unsafe. Your employer and the WSIB must cooperate to offer accommodated duties. For an electrician, this might mean doing administrative work or inventory instead of climbing ladders and handling live wires.
Step 6: Seek a Permanent Impairment Award
If your nerve damage or psychological trauma becomes permanent and you reach Maximum Medical Recovery (MMR), your lawyer will help you apply for a Non-Economic Loss (NEL) award. This provides financial compensation for the permanent loss of bodily function and psychological well-being.
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Dealing with the aftermath of an electrocution involves significant medical resources, which the WSIB is designed to cover:
- Medical and Travel Expenses: The WSIB covers all approved treatments, including neurologist visits, pain medications, and psychological therapy for PTSD. They also reimburse travel expenses if you must drive to a specialist in another city.
- Loss of Earnings (LOE): While you are recovering or working reduced hours, the WSIB pays 85% of your net pre-injury earnings. Although the proposed Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (Bill 105) aims to increase this rate to 90% for new claims on a prospective basis, this bill remains under legislative review, meaning the current active rate remains at 85%.
- Law Firm Fees: Engaging a lawyer for complex secondary condition appeals generally operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay a percentage (usually 15-30%) of any back-pay or NEL lump sums they recover for you.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for electrical injuries is split. ⏱ The initial claim for the emergency room visit and immediate time off is usually approved quickly, often within 2 to 4 weeks. However, getting secondary conditions like PTSD or neuropathy approved can take 6 to 12 months, as the WSIB will heavily scrutinize the medical connection. Assessing a worker for a permanent NEL award only happens once doctors agree the condition will not improve, which is typically 18 to 24 months post-injury.
| Primary Injury (Immediate) | Burns, cardiac arrhythmia, muscle tears from the physical throw of the shock. Approved quickly. |
| Secondary Injury (Delayed) | Peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain syndrome, PTSD. Requires specialist reports and often faces WSIB delays. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if there are no visible burns on my skin?
You do not need visible burn marks to have suffered severe internal damage. Electrical current often damages internal tissues, nerves, and organs without leaving a mark on the skin. Always seek medical care to document the internal trauma.
Can I claim PTSD if I wasn’t physically hurt badly?
Yes. A high-voltage shock is a life-threatening event. Even if your physical recovery is fast, the psychological trauma of a near-fatal electrocution can cause severe PTSD. The WSIB compensates for traumatic mental stress.
My symptoms appeared a year later. Is it too late?
It is not too late if you reported the initial electrical shock properly. Neurological degradation can be slow. As long as your specialist can medically link the new symptoms to the original accepted accident, you can add it to your claim.
What if my employer blames me for not locking out?
The WSIB is a “no-fault” insurance system. Even if the shock happened because you made a mistake or forgot to perform a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure, you are still legally entitled to WSIB benefits for your injuries.
Will WSIB retrain me if my hands are permanently damaged?
Yes. If severe neuropathy prevents you from ever working as an electrician again, the WSIB will implement a Work Transition plan. They will pay to retrain you for a new career that accommodates your physical restrictions.
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