The laborers of America deal with the physical work and dirty jobs that many Americans forget need doing. They are the trench diggers, builders, road repair workers, pipeline layers, and maintenance men and women that keep our country running smoothly and safely. Unfortunately, with these jobs comes another issue of safety. Every now and then, certain unlucky employees get caught in a work accident that leaves them with injuries and medical bills that need tending. Fortunately, if you were recently injured in a work accident, both the Laborers’ Union and workers’ compensation are available to help you get back on your feet. Laborers’ International Union of North America The Laborers’ Union, or LIUNA, was initially founded in 1903. Its goal was to support workers in often overlooked industries that could use the protection of an organization separate form their employer. For over 100 years, LIUNA has been protecting the fair wages, working hours, training programs, and retirement assistance of members in construction, contractual work, the public sector, and other related fields. Today, over 600,000 members at dozens of different employers across North America receive the benefits of LIUNA’s labor. Potential Injuries As a member of the Laborers’ Union, it is probably not difficult to imagine the many ways in which you could be injured while working. Workers’ compensation law was designed to support workers injured from a variety of causes, such as: falling product faulty machinery hazardous materials dangerous tools repetitive motions (crouching, bending, lifting, etc.) over years of working If your injury was caused by an accident like this (or any other cause) it is worth notifying your employer. Especially if your accident was caused by unsafe work conditions, it is very necessary to move forward with your claim. What to Do After Your Injury It is understandable to be confused about how to move forward after your accident, especially while recovering. However, by following these simple steps, you can accumulate all of the information you need to provide on a workers’ compensation claim. 1. Go to a doctor. Make sure you have been properly tested and diagnosed so any complications from your injury continue to heal. Save copies of all doctors’ notes, test results, and medical bills to include on your claim. 2. Write down everything you know. Give a detailed account of everything that happened before, during, and after the accident. If there were any witnesses, try to get them to write down what they saw as well — all of this can be included on your claim. 3. Take photographs. Photographs of the site of the injury, the case of the injury (machine, broken tool, etc.), your injuries, and any other important information can be great here. After you gather this information, speak with the Laborers’ Union about how to move forward in your workers’ comp case. They can consult the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the union and your employer to help you determine how to move forward. Considering a Workers’ Compensation Attorney It is important to remember that even a strong union like LIUNA is no supplement for a legal professional. In fact, many union members hire attorneys when they get ready to file a workers’ comp case. Attorneys can give your case a noticeable professional edge to make sure your compensation request is as likely as possible to be approved. And, even better, workers’ comp attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only receive payment if they win your case. Additional Resources Construction Workers and Workers' Compensation Electricians and Workers' Compensation 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.*
