Manitoba injury claims up in 2024: WCB

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This article was published 23/06/2025 (199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba spent more than $266 million on injury claims in 2024 — nearly $56 million, or 26.6 per cent, over budget.

That was $68.1 million, or 34.5 per cent, higher than that of 2023 due, in part, to a jump in claims, an annual report released Monday said.

“Increasing claim volumes, combined with higher average cost per claim and longer claim duration, resulted in an increase in wage loss payments and health-care expenses,” the 122-page report said.

The WCB, an arm’s-length government agency, said 72 per cent of claims were paid within 14 days of injury, with an average of 37.8 days paid — up from 32.8 in 2023.

Total claim costs reflect an estimate of the full costs for compensable injuries, with adjustments for prior years’ estimates.

The WCB’s 40,058 registered employers represent 73 per cent of Manitoba’s workforce, the report said.

The agency reported 13,918 time loss injuries, 2,832 severe injuries and 22 fatality claims in 2024, similar to figures reported in 2023.

The number of days lost to workplace injury or illness was 878,559, up from 784,475 the previous year.

About three in five injured workers (61 per cent) returned to “safe and suitable” work after 10 days, the report said. The figure increased to 89 per cent after 60 days.

The WCB said it plans to prioritize workplace injury prevention in “high-impact sectors,” and will attempt to improve access to health-care services.

A new data-driven initiative, involving the Manitoba Association for Safety in Healthcare and health-care facilities, aims to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

The report did not explain the reason for the removal of former CEO Richard Deacon, who was replaced by Catherine Skinner last year.

The WCB sets a revenue target to cover operating costs plus a 30 per cent reserve for unforeseen circumstances, amounting to an overall funding ratio target of 130 per cent each year.

The agency’s funded position increased to $887 million in 2024 despite inflationary pressures, exceeding a target of $408 million, meaning the WCB is fully funded with a funding ratio of 165.3 per cent, up from 160.5 in 2023.

In April, the WCB’s board approved $122 million in rebates to employers.

The WCB said it still has the lowest average assessment rate in Canada (95 cents per $100 of assessable payroll). The agency reported record high levels of worker and employer satisfaction in surveys.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca