Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island

Psychological Injuries


Currently, the WCB provides compensation for psychological injuries resulting from exposure to work-related traumatic events. Coverage details are included below on this page.

Beginning January 1, 2025, this coverage will be expanded to include psychological injuries resulting from work-related harassment or bullying. These injuries can be as result of a single event or the cumulative effects of repeated work-related harassment or bullying.

When more details become available on the expanded psychological injury coverage it will be added to this web page.

If you are looking for information on how to file a claim, start HERE.



Like work-related incidents that cause physical injuries, exposure to work-related traumatic events can cause psychological injuries. For example:
  • A paramedic responding to serious accidents throughout their career.
  • A construction worker who witnesses a serious fall.
  • A security guard who was violently attacked during a recent shift.
While the signs of injury may not always be visible, each of these individuals has been exposed to a traumatic event and could be entitled to compensation for a work-related injury.

To be entitled to compensation, a worker must be diagnosed with a trauma or stressor related disorder by a psychologist or psychiatrist following work-related exposure to a traumatic event. Traumatic events are defined as actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

If the above criteria are met, the WCB presumes that the diagnosed condition is work-related, unless proved otherwise.

If a claim for psychological injury is accepted, WCB may provide wage loss benefits and cover the costs associated with a variety of services and treatments, including assessments, therapy, counselling, medication, support for return to work, and more.

The WCB has a Psychological Care Process in place to support timely diagnosis and treatment of work-related psychological injuries which includes access to a psychologist and a network of counsellors.

It's important to remember that in all situations, a worker has six months to file a claim for compensation from the date of exposure to a traumatic event. The date of exposure is the date of the accident.

If exposure to traumatic events occurs over a period of time (cumulative exposure), the date of the incident is the earlier of:
  • The date a loss of earnings first occurs
  • The date the worker reports the injury as work-related to their employer, health care provider or the WCB.
Information about non-traumatic event psychological injuries can be found in POL-01 Psychological or Psychiatric Condition.

Click HERE to start filing your claim.