2012 ONWSIAT 1550 | 2012 ONWSIAT 1550 (CanLII)
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal | File No. 774/08 | Date: 2012-07-10 | Hearing: Oral hearing | Adjudicator: S. Ryan
PSR Role: psychological and vocational assessment
During psycho-vocational testing, the worker’s responses on the Pain Symptoms Rating scale reflected extreme pain focus, catastrophization, depression and helplessness, indicating Chronic Pain Disorder and interfering with vocational planning.
Why It Matters: The decision shows PSR being used within tribunal evidence to evaluate psychological pain responses and vocational capacity.
Key Holding: PSR findings supported a clinical diagnosis of Chronic Pain Disorder and were considered in evaluating the worker’s employability.
This decision references Pain Symptoms Rating results within a psycho-vocational assessment used to evaluate the worker’s psychological response to pain and employability.
Citation
Decision No. 774/08, 2012 ONWSIAT 1550 (CanLII).
Facts
The worker suffered a low back injury while lifting boxes at work and later experienced chronic pain and functional limitations.
Disputes arose regarding entitlement to Chronic Pain Disability and continued loss of earnings benefits.
Role of PSR
A psychologist conducted psycho-vocational testing including the Pain Symptoms Rating scale.
The worker’s responses showed extreme pain focus, pain magnification and catastrophization, reflecting chronic pain disorder and interfering with vocational functioning.
Tribunal Consideration
The tribunal reviewed psychological, medical and vocational evidence and concluded that the worker developed Chronic Pain Disability and remained unemployable.
Quoted Passages
PSR findings
Responses to the Pain Symptoms Rating reflect a significantly extreme degree of pain focus, pain magnification, catastrophization, depression, lack of direction and total helplessness in response to her present situation.
p. 4
Issues
Entitlement to Chronic Pain Disability (CPD): Allowed
Reinstatement of Loss of Earnings (LOE) benefits: Allowed
Findings
Result Summary: The appeal was allowed. The tribunal found the worker had Chronic Pain Disability and reinstated 100% loss of earnings benefits.
PSR-Related Finding: PSR results reflected extreme pain focus and catastrophization, consistent with Chronic Pain Disorder.