Can I be liable if a contractor's worker gets hurt on my property?

Yes, as an Ottawa homeowner, you can potentially be held liable if a contractor's worker gets injured on your property, but there are important protections you should understand and verify.

The key protection in Ontario is ensuring your contractor has valid WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) coverage. WSIB is Ontario's workplace insurance system that covers injured workers and protects property owners from liability claims. When a contractor has proper WSIB coverage, injured workers typically cannot sue the homeowner - they receive benefits through WSIB instead.

However, this protection only applies if the contractor is properly registered and up-to-date with their WSIB payments. This is why verifying WSIB clearance is crucial before any work begins on your Ottawa property. You can check a contractor's WSIB status by requesting a Clearance Certificate from wsib.ca/clearances, or ask the contractor to provide one dated within the last 30 days.

Your homeowner's insurance may provide some liability coverage, but it's not designed to replace proper WSIB coverage. Many insurance policies have exclusions for commercial activities or may require you to pay deductibles and face potential premium increases. Don't rely solely on your home insurance for this protection.

In Ottawa, you should also verify that contractors working on your property have proper licensing through the appropriate authorities. For electrical work, check ESA licensing at esasafe.com/contractor-locator. For gas work, verify TSSA certification at tssa.org. Licensed contractors are more likely to maintain proper insurance and follow safety protocols.

Be particularly cautious with contractors who seem unusually cheap or can't provide proof of WSIB coverage. Some unscrupulous contractors operate without proper registration, putting you at significant risk. If a worker is injured and the contractor lacks WSIB coverage, you could face a personal injury lawsuit that your homeowner's insurance might not fully cover.

For larger projects requiring City of Ottawa building permits (613-580-2424), the permit process helps ensure contractors meet basic requirements, though you should still independently verify WSIB and insurance coverage. The City's building permit requirements don't guarantee a contractor's insurance status.

Red flags include contractors who refuse to provide WSIB clearance certificates, seem evasive about insurance questions, or pressure you to start work immediately without proper documentation. Legitimate Ottawa contractors understand these requirements and will readily provide proof of coverage.

Before work begins, document everything: take photos of your property's condition, keep copies of all insurance certificates and clearances, and maintain written contracts that clearly specify the contractor's responsibility for worker safety and insurance coverage.

For additional consumer protection information specific to Ontario, visit ontario.ca/consumer or contact the City of Ottawa's Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 if you have questions about permit requirements that might affect contractor selection for your project.