Some clients that come to us after being injured at work are also members of a labor union. If you have been injured at work and are also a part of a labor union, there are several things you should know that may benefit you during a worker’s comp case. Labor unions were put in to place to protect worker’s interests. This typically includes everything from wages to working conditions but also includes making sure members receive the benefits they deserve after a work injury. With that in mind, if you have been injured at work here’s what you need to know about your labor union’s involvement in your case.
Labor Unions Often Provide Protection
If you have been injured at work you should be confident in knowing that your union is there to help protect you and your rights. Unlike traditional workers, employees that belong to a union often have employment contracts. While many workers can’t guarantee their job will be there when they return from being out on worker’s comp, your labor union and employment contract may provide protection against being terminated after an injury at work.
WHAT IS WORKERS’ COMP?Put Your Union Rep to Work for You
Your union rep can be a tremendous asset to you during a worker’s compensation case. If you have been injured at work, in addition to contacting a worker’s comp attorney, you should also contact your union rep. In doing so, you should ask them if there are any supplemental benefits you are entitled to receive as a result of being a union member. We recommend you communicate with your union rep regularly and keep them up to date on the status of your case as unions reps are there to make sure you are treated fairly.
Know the Union’s Role
In most cases, your union will play a positive role in your worker’s compensation case. However, you should be aware that some labor unions will suggest specific worker’s compensation attorneys to their members for one reason or another. Depending on the rules of your individual union, you may not be required to use the attorney they suggest.
Before making any decisions about which attorney is going to represent you, we would suggest coming to see us for a free consultation. While it doesn’t require any special training to represent a union member in a comp case, having an attorney that is experienced in representing union members is important. Our team is experienced at representing both non-union and union members in worker’s compensation cases, so contact us to schedule your free consultation.
