Applying for Workers’ Comp as a member of Communications Workers of America (CWA) The Communications Workers of America is one of the most vast and varied unions in the United States. Whether you’re a flight attendant, a teach-er, or a call center worker, the CWA strives to ensure that you receive fair wages, working hours, and working conditions. Unfortunately, as with any job, there is always a risk of getting accidentally injured at work. Thankfully, CWA members may be eligible for full compensation for their injuries by filing a workers’ compensation claim, a process you can begin today. Communications Workers of America The CWA was initially founded in 1947 in effort to support telephone operators who were subject to low pay and poor working conditions. The success of the union at this time was so great that it began to absorb other unions in similar fields looking for similar support. Today, the CWA represents over 700,000 workers in the US and Canada. Member careers cover a wide variety of positions in the telecommunications, information technology, airline, health care, law enforcement, public service, news media, broadcast, education, and cable television industries. Potential Injuries With any job comes certain uncontrollable factors that can occasionally lead to an accident. Because CWA members hail from a variety of different jobs, it’s impossible to know which injuries are most common across the board. However, most injuries fall into one of two categories: Single-incident injuries: This form of injury is the most common reason that many people apply for workers’ compensation. Perhaps you were working rigging as a camera operator when a cable broke loose, causing a light to fall and cause a head injury. Or perhaps you were preparing to seat passengers on a flight when you slipped on a spill and got hurt in the fall. Any injury that occurs from a single accident qualifies here. Long-term injuries: Many people are unaware that injuries acquired over time while working can also qualify for compensation. For example, many call center employees spend long hours each day sitting in the same position. Over a period of years, a lack of variety or proper seating support can cause back, neck, or shoulder pain. These may also qualify for compensation. Communications Workers of America Preparing Your Claim Step One: Speak with a CWA representative. Let your union know that you are interested in getting compensation for your injury. They will check the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) the have with your employer to help you decide how to move forward. Step Two: Write down everything you know. Whether your injury was due to a single accident or to long-term wear and tear, be as detailed as possible in your description. The more your employer knows, the more likely they will provide full compensation. Step Three: Gather evidence to support your claim. This typically comes in the form of photographs (of the accident site and/or your injuries) as well as statements collected from coworkers or supervisors who were present for the injury. Be sure you also include all medical documents and bills here. Step Four: File your compensation claim with your employer. Once they receive it, they will look over your case and make a decision on your compensation request. Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Workers’ compensation attorneys can greatly improve your chances of get-ting fully compensated, even with the help of your union. Their legal experience is unmatched in the field, and can make all the difference when writ-ing your statement, composing your claim, or negotiating with your employ-er. Even better, the majority of workers’ comp attorneys work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay them unless they win your case. Consider a free consultation with a workers’ comp attorney in your area before filing your initial claim. Disclaimer: The content of this article is purely informative and should not be construed as official legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.*
