The Alberta Workers Compensation Board is now accepting claims on the basis of workers' exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in the workplace. If your health is affected by breathing secondhand smoke on the job, you may qualify for WCB benefits. These benefits can include wage loss replacement, medical costs paid, case management services, and disability payments.

In order to qualify for a claim, we recommend the following:

Check to see if your employer provides WCB coverage. Some employers provide other coverage through group insurance plans. Also check to see if you are covered by worker's compensation as some workers may not qualify (e.g. casual part-time workers).

Collect any personal documentation you may have relating to your health condition, such as physicians records, time off due to illness, prescription forms, etc.

If you haven't discussed your condition with a physician, do so as soon as possible. You may wish to schedule a routine check-up and discuss prior health symptoms resulting from exposure to secondhand smoke even if you aren't currently experiencing any health problems. You should get your physician to document the problem.

Notify your employer of your health condition and request a Worker's Report of Injury Form from your employer. You are legally required to inform your employer of your health condition. If your employer will not provide you with a form, call the Worker's Compensation Board at 427-1131 (Edmonton) or 297-6471 (Calgary) or toll-free in Alberta at 310-0000 (ask the operator for 427-1131).

Fill out the form as accurately and completely as possible. If you would like to obtain a sample form completed by a successful secondhand smoke claimant, call 1-800-905-5210 (Alberta only) and request the WCB Claimant Package. You can also request this package by sending an e-mail message to ash@ccinet.ab.ca

Send a copy of your Worker's Injury Report Form to Action on Smoking & Health, #1101, 10080 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton AB T5J 1V9. This will allow us to track the number of claims and to keep claimants apprised of any new developments. Your records will remain confidential.

Please send copies of any correspondence you receive from the WCB to our office to allow us to monitor the progress of your claim.

Consider joining ASH. We rely on a strong membership base to achieve our objectives of building a smoke-free society. Thanks to membership support, we are able to assist people like you who are seeking help to address a serious health problem. Membership information can be obtained from our home page.