Sarah Hentschel Senior Associate

Profile

Sarah is a Senior Associate in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Watson Goepel LLP. Sarah enjoys a hybrid practice of both defence work and plaintiff work; she represents and advises employers across Canada with regards to all aspects of Workplace Law and also represents and advises individuals with respect to long-term disability benefits and life insurance claims.

Sarah has had cases before the Employment Standards Tribunal of BC, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the Industrial Relations Board, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Social Security Tribunal, and the Supreme and Provincial Courts of British Columbia.

Workplace Law – For Businesses

  • Transferring employees between businesses during purchase or sale of business
  • Drafting, assessing, or applying workplace policies
  • Advising employers regarding terminations, employee complaints, and workplace accommodations
  • Drafting employment contracts for businesses
  • Defending wrongful dismissal actions, Employment Standards Tribunal complaints, and Human Rights Tribunal complaints
  • Providing advice and strategy regarding breaches of contract including non-solicitation clauses, privacy, and non-competition clauses
  • Strategic advice for businesses regarding WorkSafe BC matters

Disability Law

  • Assisting individuals with appeals during the appeals process
  • Bringing actions in court against insurance companies who wrongfully deny benefits
  • Assisting unions and/or union members with their long term disability benefits appeals processes
  • How to handle the employment relationship while on long-term disability or waiting for long-term disability benefits

Sarah’s Top Five Tips for Disability Claims

  • Seek professional advice right away.
  • Don’t assume because an insurance company tells you “your claim is denied” or “your file is closed” or “you are no longer entitled to benefits after two years”, that that is the final word on your entitlement. It rarely is.
  • You have obligations to your employer while off work, even if you are on an approved long term disability claim. Find out what they are so you can maintain a good employer relationship and maintain other benefits.
  • Do everything in writing. Even when they insist on a phone call or a “phone interview.” You can request that they put their questions in writing.
  • If you are settling a car accident or personal injury claim while you are receiving long term disability benefits, there are important questions your personal injury/motor vehicle claim lawyer should be asking the disability insurer BEFORE you settle your personal injury claim.

Education 

  • LLB, University of British Columbia, 2002
  • BAH, Queens University, 1995

Bar 

  • British Columbia, 2003

Testimonials

Over the course of two years, I worked closely with Sarah to update our employment infrastructure for our small but growing university college in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sarah was responsive, diligent, and creative. She took the time to work with and listen to us, bringing her vast and current legal understanding of employment law that would serve the needs of our particular institution. By any standard of performance, and professionalism, I consider Sarah to be an exemplary legal practitioner who carries my strongest unreserved recommendation. Dr. Peter Meehan, President, Corpus Christi College, Principal, St. Mark’s College

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association, Member of Pension and Benefits Section
  • British Columbia Bar Association, Member of Employment Section and Women Lawyers Forum

Recent news from Sarah Hentschel

4 March 2024

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Domestic Violence and the Workplace

Employers may not think of domestic violence as a workplace issue. However, legislation across Canada creates obligations for employers in the workplace relating to domestic violence. Generally, employers are aware that in BC WorkSafe occupational health and safety legislation requires businesses to provide a safe a workspace as possible for their employees. In 2023 WorkSafe…

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6 February 2024

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WorkSafe Premiums: Risks to an Employer of the Uninsured “Independent” Contractor

Who Requires WorkSafe BC Coverage Employers are usually familiar with the legal requirement to obtain WorkSafe BC coverage for their employees. However, businesses are actually required by law to ensure that all “workers” performing work or services for their business are insured by WorkSafe BC. Establishing what type of work requires WorkSafe coverage involves some analysis as “worker” is…

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empty office with chairs and tables

8 March 2023

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Abortion Rights and The Workplace in Canada

This article is part of a series of educational blog posts created by a team of Watson Goepel women lawyers in light of International Women’s Day 2023, to empower, celebrate, and encourage women in Canada.   This article addresses the questions that many women and many employers might be interested to know about the workplace laws surrounding abortion in…

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group of three women smiling and hugging each other

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Building a Better World for Women

This article is part of a series of educational blog posts created by a team of Watson Goepel women lawyers in light of International Women’s Day 2023, to empower, celebrate, and encourage women in Canada.   International Women’s Day is an important day for us women lawyers, as it celebrates the achievements and contributions of women to the world,…

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