WSIB Form 6: How to Complete It in Ontario

A rushed WSIB Form 6 can leave Ontario workers explaining gaps after the claim is filed. Clear details now give WSIB a stronger record of what happened.

Before filling in any box, you need to know what the form does, when it is required, and what signing it allows. That starts with the first question: What is WSIB Form 6 and when do you need it? Here's how.

What is WSIB Form 6 and when do you need it?

WSIB Form 6 is the Worker's Report of Injury/Disease. It gives an injured Ontario worker a direct way to report a work-related injury or illness. The Office of the Worker Adviser says workers should complete and sign Form 6 when they apply for WSIB benefits.

Your employer may also send its own report, called Form 7. Your treating health professional may send Form 8. Form 6 is different because it records your account of what happened and how the injury affects your work.

When to complete Form 6

Complete Form 6 after a workplace accident or when you believe your work caused an illness. Tell your employer about the accident or illness right away. Seek medical care as needed, then give the WSIB clear and accurate details about the event.

Do not assume an employer's report replaces your own. The WSIB states that your employer needs to know about the injury or illness. If they do not know the details, tell them as soon as possible.

Why your account matters

Form 6 lets you describe the event from your point of view. State what happened, where it happened, and how your work caused or contributed to the injury. Clear details can help the person reviewing the claim understand the link between your job and your condition.

Review the report before signing it. Check that your description is complete and consistent with what you told your employer and health professional. Our guide to completing WSIB Form 6 accurately explains how careful reporting fits within your wider rights after a workplace injury.

Write down the facts while they are fresh. Include the sequence of events and any changes in your ability to do your job. Avoid guessing when you do not know an answer.

Key duties after completing it

You must give your employer a copy of the completed Form 6. Keep a copy for your own records as well. Note when and how you sent each copy, so you can track the report later.

Your signature also permits your doctor to complete a functional abilities form and share it with you, your employer, and the WSIB. This information covers what you can and cannot do at work. It does not include details about your medical condition.

A signed Form 6 also affects access to benefits. The Office of the Worker Adviser says the WSIB will generally pay no more than two weeks of benefits without one. That makes prompt, careful completion an important part of starting your claim.

What information should you gather before starting?

Before opening WSIB Form 6, gather your notes, records, and contact details in one place. This preparation helps you give a clear account without relying on memory while completing the form.

Keep the details accurate and consistent with what you told your employer and medical providers. If you are unsure about a fact, check your records instead of guessing.

Personal and employer details

Start with your full name, contact details, job title, and usual work duties. Have your employer's legal name, worksite address, phone number, and supervisor's name ready. Add your regular hours, pay details, and start date if known.

• Your personal contact and job information.
• Your employer's name, address, and contact details.
• Your supervisor's name and your usual work schedule.
• Your WSIB claim number, if one has already been assigned.

A claim number only confirms that WSIB opened a file; it does not mean the claim was approved. Use that number whenever you contact WSIB about the claim, as explained in the Ontario claim filing guide.

Accident and witness facts

Write a short timeline of what happened before, during, and after the injury or illness. Record the date, time, exact location, task, tools, and equipment involved. Note any hazards, sudden movements, or repeated work that may explain how the injury developed.

• The names and contact details of witnesses.
• When and how you told your employer.
• Who received your report and what you said.
• Any photos, emails, incident reports, or shift records.

Tell your employer about the accident or occupational disease as soon as possible. This reporting step is also part of completing WSIB Form 6 accurately. Keep a dated note of the conversation and any reply.

Medical care and work changes

List every clinic, hospital, doctor, or other health provider you visited after the injury. For each visit, note the date, treatment received, tests ordered, and follow-up plan. Include any referrals, prescriptions, therapy, or work restrictions given to you.

The Ontario filing guide says your treating health professional should send Form 8 to WSIB. Ask whether that report was sent, and keep the provider's contact details handy.

• Dates you missed work or left a shift early.
• Changes to your hours, tasks, or pay.
• Modified duties offered, accepted, attempted, or refused.
• Reasons a modified task caused pain or could not be done.

Gathering these facts first makes it easier to describe the injury and its effect on your work. It also gives you a record to check before submitting WSIB Form 6.

How to complete WSIB Form 6 step by step

Completing WSIB Form 6 is easier when you work through it in order. Before you start, gather your employer details, health care information, and notes about what happened. Write only what you know, and use clear, specific language.

Details to gather first

Keep any incident notes, medical papers, work schedules, and witness names nearby. Check dates and names against those records instead of relying only on memory. If you are unsure about a detail, do not guess.

Before filling the form, tell your employer about the injury if they do not already know. Ask your treating health professional to send Form 8 to WSIB. These reports do not replace Form 6, but they help create a full claim record.

1. Enter your personal and employer information. Add your current contact details and the requested information about your job and employer. Check spelling, phone numbers, and dates before moving on.

2. Describe the incident or illness. State where and when it happened, what task you were doing, and what went wrong. Include the order of events and name any witnesses.

3. Explain the injury and symptoms. Name each affected body area and describe the symptoms you noticed. Say when the symptoms started and whether they changed after the incident.

4. Add your health care information. List the care you received and the health professional or facility involved. Include the visit date and any follow-up care that has been arranged.

5. Describe your work status. Record whether you stopped work, missed time, changed duties, or worked fewer hours. Give dates and describe any limits that affect your work tasks.

6. Read the consent section and sign. Make sure you understand what the consent allows before adding your signature and date. An unsigned form can affect access to benefits.

7. Review, copy, and submit the form. Check every section, then keep a complete copy for your records. Submit the signed form to WSIB and give a completed copy to your employer.

A clear and consistent account

Read your incident description once as a timeline. It should show the task, the event, the injury, and what happened next. This review can help with avoiding mistakes on your WSIB Form 6, such as missing details or conflicting dates.

Use plain words rather than broad phrases such as "I got hurt." For example, name the item you lifted, where you felt pain, and what you did next. Do not add a diagnosis that a health professional has not given you.

Signed copies and final checks

Your signature matters. It gives consent for a health professional to share functional abilities information with you, your employer, and WSIB. That information covers what you can and cannot do at work, not your medical diagnosis.

The Ontario Office of the Worker Adviser says workers must provide their employer with a completed Form 6 copy. Keep your own copy and proof of submission as well. These records can help if WSIB later asks about a date or answer.

Compare your saved Form 6 with other records you receive, including the employer's Form 7. If you spot an error after submission, contact WSIB and explain the correction clearly. When WSIB gives you a claim number, use it in each later message about the claim.

How should you describe the workplace injury?

Your WSIB Form 6 description should give a clear, factual account of what happened and how it affected you. Write in time order, use specific details, and separate what you know from what you do not know.

A clear timeline

Start with the date, time, work location, and task you were doing. Then explain the event, the first symptoms you noticed, who you told, and what happened next. Ontario's Office of the Worker Adviser says workers should tell their employer about an accident or occupational disease.

Name the body part affected and describe the movement, object, or condition involved. For example: "While lifting a box from the floor. I felt a sharp pain in my lower back." Add what you did afterward, such as stopping work, telling a supervisor, or seeking care.

• Use dates, locations, job tasks, and names when you know them.
• Describe symptoms in plain words, such as pain, swelling, numbness, or limited movement.
• Keep your description consistent with details you gave your employer and health care provider.

Gradual injuries and occupational disease

Some conditions develop over time instead of during one clear event. In that case, describe the work tasks or exposures you believe are linked to the condition. Include when symptoms began, how often the work occurred, and how symptoms changed over time.

A neutral example is: "I used a vibrating tool during most shifts. Tingling in my hands began in March and became more frequent." If you cannot recall an exact date, say that. Give the closest time period you honestly remember rather than guessing.

Note any changes in duties, hours, tools, protective equipment, or work area that may help explain the timeline. These details can also help when completing WSIB Form 6 accurately.

Accuracy over assumptions

Do not guess about facts, a medical diagnosis, or why a condition occurred. State what you saw, felt, did, and reported. If a doctor has not confirmed a diagnosis, describe your symptoms instead of naming a condition yourself.

Do not minimize the injury because you hoped it would improve. Also, do not exaggerate symptoms or add details that you cannot support. If space is limited, keep the main sequence clear and note that more details are available.

Before submitting, read the description once for missing steps or unclear dates. Compare it with your notes and records, then correct any honest error. Careful wording helps with avoiding mistakes on your WSIB Form 6 while keeping the report true to your experience.

Common WSIB Form 6 mistakes to avoid

Small gaps in a WSIB Form 6 can make the events harder to understand. Before filing, check each answer against your notes, medical records, and work schedule. This simple review helps you catch missing or conflicting details.

Incomplete or unclear answers

Complete every field that applies to your claim. If a field does not apply, write "not applicable" rather than leaving it blank. Describe what happened in a clear order, using specific actions, places, and body parts.

Avoid broad statements such as "I hurt my back at work." Explain the task you were doing, what changed, and when you first noticed pain. These details support completing WSIB Form 6 accurately without adding guesses or unrelated history.

Dates, care, and supporting details

Check that the injury date, work shift, reporting date, and care dates fit together. If you are unsure of a detail, say so instead of estimating. List first aid, clinic visits, hospital care, or other treatment that occurred.

Ask the person treating you to send a Health Professional's Report, or Form 8, to the WSIB. Ontario's Office of the Worker Adviser includes this step in its WSIB claim filing guidance. Keep the provider's contact details with your records.

Signature and copies

Do not send an unsigned WSIB Form 6. The WSIB generally pays no more than two weeks of benefits when a worker has not signed it. Review the final page, then sign and date the form.

Save a complete copy of everything you submit, including attachments and any submission receipt. You must also give your employer a copy of the completed Form 6. Keeping matching copies makes later questions easier to answer.

If you spot a major error after filing, seek guidance before sending a correction. A worker dealing with a denied claim can also get help with a WSIB Form 6 from an experienced representative.

What happens after you submit Form 6?

After you submit WSIB Form 6, keep a copy of the completed report and any submission confirmation. You may receive a claim number once the WSIB opens a file. A claim number confirms that a file exists, but it does not mean the claim is approved.

Your claim number and follow-up

Store the claim number where you can find it quickly. Use it each time you contact the WSIB about the claim. The Office of the Worker Adviser explains the claim number process and other steps workers should take after an injury.

The WSIB may contact you to check details, ask questions, or request more records. Respond as soon as you can, and keep your answers clear and consistent with your Form 6. If a question is unclear, ask what information is needed before answering.

• Note the caller's name, the date, and the reason for each call.
• Save copies of letters, forms, emails, medical notes, and receipts.
• Record when you sent each item and how you sent it.
• Keep notes about symptoms, treatment, missed work, and changes in your duties.

Records from your employer and health professional

Your Form 6 is one part of the claim file. Your employer should send Form 7 when the reporting rules apply. Your treating health professional should also send Form 8 to the WSIB. Ask for copies of records you receive, then review names, dates, and injury details for errors.

Contact your health professional if the WSIB asks for medical records or updated information. Do not guess about a diagnosis or treatment date. A clear file can help everyone understand what happened and how the injury affects your work.

Safe return-to-work information

The WSIB or your employer may discuss duties you can safely perform while you recover. Focus on your functional abilities, such as limits on lifting, standing, reaching, or working certain hours. This information describes what you can and cannot do at work; it does not include diagnosis details.

Keep notes about any return-to-work plan, offered duties, and concerns you raise. Tell the right contact promptly if duties do not match your stated limits. Do not agree that you can perform work that conflicts with current medical guidance.

If the process becomes hard to manage, you can find a WSIB lawyer or paralegal through Claimit. You can also start your intake form to share the claim details. Starting the intake is only a first step, not a commitment to hire a representative.

When should you get help with a WSIB claim?

You can manage many straightforward claims yourself, but legal help may be useful when the facts, medical record, or process becomes disputed. A lawyer or paralegal can review the record, explain options, and help you respond to a WSIB decision. Getting advice early may also help you avoid choices that are hard to correct later.

Signs that your claim may need support

Consider speaking with a WSIB lawyer or paralegal if your employer disputes how the injury happened. The same applies if someone pressures you to change your account. Help may also be useful when the WSIB denies the claim, reduces benefits, or questions whether your condition is work-related.

• Your claim involves an occupational illness that developed over time.
• Your medical records and the employer's report describe different events or limits.
• You received a denial or another decision that you may want to appeal.
• You missed a deadline, or you are unsure how much time remains.
• You feel pressured to return to duties that do not match your current abilities.

These issues can become harder when several documents tell different stories. A representative can help organize the evidence and explain which points need a clear response. This support may be useful when you need to request a review or appeal a decision.

Help before submitting WSIB Form 6

You do not need to wait for a denial before asking for help. Early advice may be useful if the event is hard to describe, symptoms appeared slowly, or several workplaces may be involved. It can also help when you are unsure what details belong on WSIB Form 6.

The Ontario Office of the Worker Adviser says workers should complete and sign WSIB Form 6 to apply for benefits. It also says workers must give their employer a copy of the completed form. A representative can help you describe the facts clearly without guessing or leaving out key context.

Finding the right type of help

A lawyer or paralegal may be able to explain your options based on the facts of your claim. Ask about their WSIB experience, fees, approach, and who will handle your file. Bring your WSIB decisions, claim number, medical records, forms, and notes about talks with your employer.

Claimit is a marketplace, not a law firm, and it does not give legal advice. You can find a WSIB lawyer or paralegal and compare available representatives. Starting a conversation does not require you to hire anyone, but it can help you understand what support may fit your situation.

If you want help finding a representative, you can start your intake form. Share the main issue, any decision you received, and any deadline concerns. This helps the representative review the situation efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give a copy of Form 6 to my employer?

Yes. Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Act requires workers to give their employer a copy of the completed Form 6. The Office of the Worker Adviser also recommends keeping a copy for your records. Give the employer copy when you submit the form to the WSIB, and note when and how you delivered it.

What happens if I don't sign and submit Form 6?

Failing to sign and submit Form 6 can limit the benefits you receive. According to the Office of the Worker Adviser, the WSIB generally pays no more than two weeks of benefits without a signed Form 6. Review the form for accuracy, sign it, and submit it promptly. Keep a copy and proof of submission for your records.

Can I submit my WSIB report online?

Yes. You can report a workplace injury or illness through the WSIB's online services. If you already completed Form 6, you can submit the saved form and supporting documents online. Only the person reporting the injury or illness can sign and submit the report. Save the confirmation or receipt, along with a complete copy of everything submitted.

How do I file a WSIB claim?

Tell your employer about the workplace injury or illness, then complete and sign Form 6 to apply for WSIB benefits. Give your employer a copy and submit the report to the WSIB. Ask your treating health professional to send Form 8 as well. When the WSIB gives you a claim number, include it in every later communication about the claim.

Ready to get help with your Ontario WSIB claim?

Waiting to correct missing or unclear details can make your claim harder to explain and may delay access to the informed support you need. Starting now gives you time to review Form 6 carefully, gather relevant records, and address important questions before avoidable filing problems become harder to fix. Taking one clear next step can reduce uncertainty, protect valuable preparation time, and connect you with someone who understands Ontario WSIB claims and forms.

Ready to move forward with greater clarity and avoid facing the next steps without informed guidance? Request support today: start your intake form to get help from a verified WSIB representative, explain your situation, and understand practical next steps.