Workers’ compensation in New Brunswick is administered through a no-fault insurance system set up under the Workers’ Compensation Act.  The insurance system will compensate injured workers and protect you from being sued by workers who are injured on the job.  For the purposes of WorkSafeNB, an employer who employs three or more workers is required to register for coverage.  A worker includes all full-time, part-time and casual associate lawyers, students-at law, legal assistants, and other support staff.  New employers who qualify for coverage must register with WorkSafeNB within 15 days of the start of the third worker's employment.  If you have fewer than three workers, you may elect voluntary coverage. 

 

If you are practising as an unincorporated sole proprietor or partner, or as an independent contractor, you are not considered to be a worker of the firm for WCB purposes, but you may voluntarily apply for optional personal protection. If you are incorporated, however, you are considered to be a worker and your law corporation is considered to be an employer. Accordingly, your law corporation may register depending on the number of employees.

 

You may register online through the Service New Brunswick web site at the following link Application for WorkSafeNB Coverage  or contact WorkSafeNB for an application form.  Once registration is complete, you will be assigned a classification and an assessment rate that you will use to calculate how much is due to WorkSafeNB.  Payments can be made to one of the four WorkSafeNB offices in the province or online through its website. 

 

Consult the WorksafeNB website for complete information about your obligations and responsibilities under this program.