However safe a workplace appears to be and however many safety precautions are put in place, there is always an element of risk in many jobs. It’s hard to foresee many potential hazards. Many employers are required by state law to have workers’ compensation insurance. This sort of insurance protects employees as well as preventing them if injured from pursuing a private personal injury claim, unless their workers’ comp. claim fails. Both an injured worker’s union rep. and a workers’ compensation attorney can provide assistance before a claim for compensation is filed. Union Profile: The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America was at one time one of America’s largest and most combative trade unions, set up in 1936 by other smaller, independent unions. It was organization within large workplaces like GEC and Westinghouse Electric that helped set up the UE, which has strived since its inception to further the interests of its membership. The UE has seen periods of growth as well as reduction in membership over the years. The most recent drop in numbers coincided with the 2008 financial crisis when a reduction in construction saw many members fail to renew their membership in line with spurt unemployment. Workplace Injuries Suffered by UE Members The UE tends to have as members electrical technicians as well as a very varied number of different occupations that don’t necessarily fit easily into one specific category. Accidents are therefore very varied in nature. Workers in the electrical appliance, manufacturing and maintenance industry face numerous hazards, including crushing by heavy machinery, electrical shock when exposed to poorly insulated or protected machinery and equipment. They also become injured, sometimes seriously when they slip, trip and fall anywhere in their workplace. Machine workers face several possible injuries including bruising, crushing and severing of their fingers and hands when handling equipment. This is most likely the scenario when employees are not supplied by safety gear or trained in how to handle a difficult situation. What to Do If You Have Been Hurt On the Job There is an established procedure that must be followed if you have been injured at work and are contemplating filing a workers’ compensation claim. Get medical treatment before doing anything else, unless the injury is relatively minor; Ensure that any medical treatment is documented, especially costs of treatment and transport to and from medical centers or hospitals; Let your workplace supervisor know that an accident has happened and that you were injured; File a report in the official accident report book. This is a mandatory step if you want to successfully claim compensation. There will be a time limit involved within which you should do this. Talk to your local union representative who can provide useful help when contemplating making a claim; File a workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s insurer of the state body that deals with such claims within the specified time period allowed. Why Contact an Attorney A workers’ compensation attorney will have gained experience in dealing with dozens of workers’ compensation cases before. You can contact an attorney before submitting a claim to make sure you have the right documentation needed for a successful claim. The attorney is even more useful if your claim is denied by your employer’s insurer or when you have filed a claim but the insurer only offers an unsatisfactory amount of compensation. Further Reading I Got Hurt Operating a Machine at Work. What Do I Do? Workers' Compensation Injury By Equipment *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.
