WCB Lawyer

Vahan A. Ishkanian and Patrick Rippon

RESTRICTED TO WCB (WorkSafeBC) LAW on behalf of Workers and Plaintiffs.

We conduct reviews at the Review Division, appeals at WCAT, re- considerations and re-openings at both tribunals, applications for section 311 for Certifications to the Court (formerly s. 257 Determinations) at WCAT, including conducting examinations for discovery, and Judicial Reviews of Review Division and WCAT decisions.  I also provide second opinions to clients, and expert opinions to counsel for court purposes.

If you are inquiring about general matters such as your rights and how the WCB system works, please refer to the FAQ link on this page, and for explanations of WCB’s use of words, please refer to the WCB Overview section.  The following free services are available:  Workers’ Advisors Office, your Union, CLAS, and the Pro Bono Clinic.

We represent clients throughout the Province and elsewhere.  Most appeals are conducted electronically without a physical oral hearing.  WCAT holds oral hearings in every major city in the Province, as do the courts.  We will attend hearings in Richmond and Victoria and elsewhere as necessary, and I will attend court as necessary, and I will meet clients at my Saanichton or Vancouver office by appointment.

In response to the pandemic, hearings at every level are conducted by teleconference or videoconference.  In March 2020, I began working at home, and as of September 2020 I have returned to my office, where I was able to conduct three WCAT hearings in September.