Unite Here and Workers’ Compensation Even the most careful workers with the best available safety equipment and training can suffer from unforeseen accidents while at work. Workplace injuries can be especially worrying as they may mean taking time off work without immediate financial assistance. If you are a member of the UNITE HERE union, you will get assistance with workers’ compensation claims from your local representative. A successful claim will pay medical expenses and part of any earnings that might have been lost. UNITE HERE UNITE HERE is a large and diverse labor union. It is mostly made up of workers who are female and who are non-white. There are currently around 270,000 union members in North America, both the U.S. and Canada. UNITE HERE members originate from many parts of the world and may have migrated to North America for greater opportunities and equality. UNITE HERE works to represent its members to the best, who may work in sectors such as food services, textile, manufacturing, laundry, cleaning, airport, transportation, hotel and gaming. Workplace Injuries Suffered by UNITE HERE Members As UNITE HERE is a general union, there is no specific type of injury which all members are likely to be at risk of at work. On the contrary, accident risk is related to the industry that individual members work in. Here are just a few examples to illustrate the range of possibilities. Cleaners may suffer from dangerous slip and fall injuries as well as back strain. Textile workers may injure their hands from faulty equipment and eye strain when lighting conditions are inadequate. Food service workers face multiple injury risks ranging from slip and fall injuries, cuts from sharp cutting equipment to burns and scalds from hot food and drinks. Transportation workers can suffer from serious injuries if the vehicle they are working in is involved in a crash or collision. Injuries may involve bruising, gashes and cuts, crush injuries, facial damage, spinal and head injuries. Unite Here Workers’ Compensation Claim Procedure in Five Steps If injured while a work it is important to follow the established accident report and workers’ comp. claim procedure. Failure to do so may invalidate a later claim. Make sure you let your supervisor know about the accident and injuries or at least ensure a work colleague or your union rep. does that for you. Get adequate medical treatment, whatever the nature of your injuries. Make sure you keep any medical reports and bills for later use with a claim. File an accident report as soon as you can, or at least within the allowed time limit determined by the state law in which you are working. Get advice about the claim procedure from your local union representative. Contact a workers’ comp. attorney if unsure or unhappy about the way your claim is being handled. Know Your Legal Rights Workers’ compensation insurance is taken out by your employer to protect you while at work. It is a no-fault type of insurance, so ought to be straightforward. Most times, it is, but sometimes, things can get complicated. That’s when you may need legal help from an experienced workers’ comp. attorney. 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.
