Almost every worker in the United States at some time or other may be involved in an accident. When this happens it could mean having to take time off work to receive medical treatment and get over the injury psychologically. You normally don’t need to face too much financial hardship on your own, as most occupations are covered by workers’ compensation. This means your medical treatment is paid for you and part of your loss in income as well until you are ready to return to work. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union supports your claim for workers’ comp. and will help to suggest a suitable workers’ comp. attorney to assist you in getting the workers’ comp. that suits your circumstances. International Longshore and Warehouse Union The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) was founded in 1937 and now has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. It has attracted a membership of 33,270. It is associated with the Pacific Longshoremen's Memorial Association, the International Longshore & Warehouse, the Canadian Labor Congress and the International Transport Workers' Federation. Its overall mission is to promote the unionization of workers. It represents dock workers who work on the United States West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as in British Columbia, Canada. It represents hotel workers from Hawaii, Alaska cannery workers, warehouse workers in the West and workers in bookstore in Portland, Oregon. The union was primarily established in 1937 following the West Coast Waterfront Strike in 1934. Workplace Injuries Suffered by ILWU Members Dock workers may be affected by serious injuries due to the nature of their work. There are so many hazards on a dock that there are almost too many to list. Some common injuries include: • head injuries caused by a heavy load dropping down on a worker when he or she has no time to react or move; • back strain and hernias caused by heavy or awkward lifting; • slip, trip and fall injuries; • fires or explosions; • exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals; • falling off the dock and drowning What to Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job There is an established procedure for workers’ compensation claims that should be adhered to. The following are the basic steps involved. • Get medical treatment promptly, even if the injury seems minor. Make sure you keep all medical documentation which will be needed to support your claim. • Report the incident to your supervisor. You may need to ask someone else at work to do this if you are seriously injured. • File an accident report. This usually does not need to be done straight away, but there will be a time limit to keep to. • Contact your ILWU representative. The rep. can help you with the workers’ claim process. • File a workers’ comp. claim within the time limit imposed by the state you are working in. Why Contact an Attorney An attorney is particularly useful when a workers’ compensation claim is denied or the insurer fails to offer a reasonable compensation payment. The appeal process against such a decision by the insurer should not be taken lightly as it is a rigorous process best negotiated by an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation cases. Disclaimer The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against your employer, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
