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Union Workers Compensation Lawyer for Union Members Hurt at Work
As an injured worker, you have specific rights under New York state workers’ compensation law. As a union member, you may be entitled to additional benefits and protections in your collective bargaining agreement. It is important to work with a job accident law firm who knows your union and the benefits available to you under your contract so all your rights are protected. Unlike workers who are not covered under a union contract, you have rights preventing termination of your employment and guaranteeing continuation of your regular health care coverage when you are out of work due to an on-the-job injury.
The workers compensation law firm of Turley Redmond & Rosasco, L.L.P., has been representing union members hurt on the job for more than 25 years. We welcome union members from both public and private sector. We regularly work with construction workers in various trade unions located in New York. (In fact, our office in Long Island City is conveniently located near the headquarters of many of New York’s largest trade unions.) Our union workers’ compensation lawyer regularly advocates for individuals in Nassau and Suffolk County who were injured in the course of their labor union employment.
Injured On The Job As A Union Worker?
TRR has assisted injured workers for more than 25 years. We have a good reputation with many union locals and have represented union workers across a wide range of occupations, including:
- Construction trades (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc.)
- Ironworkers and pipe fitters
- Sheet metal workers
- Elevator workers
- Operating engineers
- Dock builders
- Truck drivers and Teamsters
- Stagehands and theater workers
- Cement and concrete workers
- Asbestos workers
- Drywall installers and tapers
- Roofers
- Riggers
- Hotel and restaurant workers
- Police officers
- Corrections officers and security guards
- Municipal employees (sanitation, parks, firefighters, etc.)
- Bus drivers and transit workers
- Healthcare and hospital workers (nurses, home care, lab techs, etc.)
- Other AFSCME and SEIU members
In addition to representing individuals, we have served as workers’ compensation counsel to the Suffolk County PBA (Police Benevolent Association); Local 342, Long Island Public Service Employees; and Local 881, CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association).
Special Considerations For Union Members Seeking Workers’ Compensation
We understand that you have much invested in the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim — not only your health, but your union membership, seniority, and benefits as well. We work closely with clients to ensure that they get proper medical care and all entitled benefits under workers’ compensation. We are here to assist from the filing of your claim through hearings and appeals if necessary to protect your interests.
Our workers comp attorneys can educate you about your rights and how your claim may differ from that of a nonunion individual. For example, many union contracts stipulate full salary during a work injury leave, compared with the two-thirds maximum under a straight workers’ comp claim. We handle all the paperwork and dealing with the insurance companies so you can concentrate on your health.
Workers’ Compensation and Union Membership
You might be asking yourself whether union membership has any effect on workers’ compensation benefits. The answer is yes, and, contrary to what you might be thinking, that’s not a bad thing! In fact, union members often enjoy greater benefits than non-union members. The primary determiner of how union membership will affect your workers’ compensation claim is your collective bargaining agreement, which may address workers’ compensation issues.
Some of the most common provisions related to workers’ compensation include:
- Guaranteed coverage: Not all employees in New York are required to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. But some collective bargaining agreements require employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits even if they are not required to by law. You may fit into this category, so make sure you check your collective bargaining agreement before assuming you are not entitled to workers’ compensation.
- Higher benefit maximums: Workers’ compensation lost wage benefits are capped at certain maximums in New York. Some collective bargaining agreements provide for higher maximums, longer periods of benefit payments, and different types of benefits than what is available under state law.
- Return-to-work training: Going back to work after a workplace accident can be extraordinarily difficult, but many collective bargaining agreements provide for return-to-work programs for their members that can ease the transition. Many of these programs allow you to ease back into work through a trial period that will not affect your workers’ compensation benefits.
- Dispute resolution: Many collective bargaining agreements include grievance procedures that allow their members to challenge adverse workers’ compensation claims or other issues related to their benefits (e.g., termination or reduction of benefits). These procedures may be simpler or offer better chances of success than pursuing an appeal through the New York Workers’ Compensation Board or traditional litigation.
If you’re in a union and you’re considering pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, you should consider speaking to a union workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise you on the best strategy.
Why It’s Important to Work With a Union Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
You are not required to hire a union workers’ compensation lawyer to assist you with your claim, but you should seriously consider doing so anyway. First, the workers’ compensation process may be different for certain union members, with their collective bargaining agreements outlining specific procedures for handling work injuries. Without a lawyer advising you on the precise steps you need to take, you risk making errors that could jeopardize your claim. Second, union members may be entitled to additional benefits beyond those offered by workers’ compensation.
A lawyer can carefully scrutinize your collective bargaining agreement, identify any and all benefits to which you may be entitled, and put forth the strongest arguments and evidence for why you should receive them. Most importantly, lawyers have experience handling these matters, with many lawyers having handled hundreds or even thousands of them. As such, they have better insights into what works and what doesn’t than almost anyone else.
Contact our Hardworking Union Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
We welcome inquiries about workers’ compensation for union members. Our union workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to fight and protect your rights. For a free consultation, call us toll-free at 800-671-4927 or email us. We have convenient offices located in New York City and Long Island.
