Prompt delivery of benefits
Panel of high quality medical specialists
Access to responsive Ombudsman
Expedited dispute resolution system

You are covered under this program if your employer and your union have chosen to join the program. If you have any questions about workers’ compensation or the program, feel free to contact us.

The program is designed to provide you with high quality medical care and all the benefits to which you are entitled – on time and without hassles or litigation. The Labor/Management Oversight Committee has carefully chosen the insurance carrier partners in the program with an absolute requirement that injured workers be treated with the dignity and respect to which they are entitled.

If you do experience a work related injury, you must immediately notify your employer. Your employer will notify the insurance company and the claims examiner will contact you promptly.

You will receive the benefits to which you are entitled on time and without hassle. For the most part, your questions will be resolved in conversation with your expert claims examiner. If, however, you find that your examiner is unable to satisfactorily answer your questions, you have access to an alternative dispute resolution process specifically designed to resolve your questions quickly and promptly.

The process starts with the Ombudsman, who is available to you 24/7 by phone. The role of the Ombudsman is not to give legal advice or tell you what to do but to listen to your concerns and provide answers. The Ombudsman will provide you with an answer to your question within 5 working days. This may sound simple, but the vast majority of concerns are resolved at this stage.

If resolution of a workers’ compensation question is unsuccessful at the level of the Ombudsman you may request mediation. The goal of mediation is to make sure that both sides know exactly what the other’s position is, and to provide a reality check as to expectations. The mediator can make suggestions but cannot impose a solution. NWCIP mediators are chosen by your Labor/management Oversight Committee. Mediations are issue oriented and will take place within 14 days of request. Neither you nor your employer/carrier may be represented by an attorney at this stage of the proceedings. You may, of course, choose to obtain legal advice at your own expense but only you and the employer/carrier representative may attend the mediation.

The final step is formal arbitration in the event mediation has not been successful. This is similar to a hearing in the statutory system. However it is held much sooner, and must be scheduled within 30 days of request. Arbitrators have been selected by labor and management on the basis of their superior qualifications. The decision of the Arbitrator will be final and binding on both parties and both parties can be represented at arbitration by legal counsel.

Requests for both mediation and arbitration are made through the Ombudsman.

We know that swift access to quality medical care and receipt of the proper benefits in a timely way will aid in your return to good health and to productive employment.

Ombudsman Contact Information:
Tom Withers,
t.withers@nwcip.com
1.800.311.2667