Workers’ Comp Law Bars Lawsuit for Damages Related to Workplace Abuse

An engineer claimed that he was subjected to systemic abuse, harassment and bullying by his supervisor and members of management, which resulted in physical and mental injuries. He quit and then sued his employer for damages for the difference between the long-term disability benefits he was getting and his expected salary and benefits had he remained working there. The court dismissed his lawsuit as barred by the workers’ comp law. The engineer’s claims arose from an ‘accident’ as defined by that law and so he must pursue his claims through the Workers’ Compensation Board [Ashraf v. SNC Lavalin ATP Inc., [2013] ABQB 688, Nov. 26, 2013].