Claiming work injury compensation

Cloud99 wrote: »

Thanks for replies all. Going through a work union sounds a good idea - nice one. However, I'm just a bit concerned I might be seen as a 'troublemaker'. Wouldn't want it to get out that I was thinking of claiming against the company before I actually decide to.

Has anyone had experience of claiming compensation against their employer? Good or bad. Cheers

Without being rude can I ask what you pay your union subs for if it is not for representation when you need it? Don't ever think that you would be classed as a trouble maker when you are just exercising your rights. If you have been injured at work and it has caused ongoing problems then you should make a claim against the company - that is why they have insurance.

I used to be branch secretary of Unison so I can explain how this works: firstly, see your union rep and say that you are thinking about claiming compensation for your injury from your employer ask them to refer you to their regional office as it is they that make the decision with regard to legal advice. You will have meetings with the union solicitors and they will also get GP reports etc. Union employed solicitors are very experienced in claiming compensation - if you are a member of Unison or Unite the solicitors they use are Thompson's (I think it is the same for PCS), if you are a member of Prospect then their solicitors are Russell Jones & Walker (who won't touch you if you try and see them privately and you are a member of Prospect). Russell Jones & Walker are the solicitors behind the tv-advertised firm Claims Direct (Russell Jones & Walker have some of the best disability specialists in the country).

If you use a union lawyer then the union will pay the lawyer's fees and you will get all the compensation. If you use a no win no fee lawyer then again there is the possibility that you won't have to pay any fees - if they are good lawyers then they will claim fees from the other side although this isnt always the case as you could end up paying a fee if you win (I know this from experience after taking my employer to a tribunal for unfair dismissal and Disability Discrimination).

If you look at Thompson's website or even Russell Jones & Walker, they have examples of cases on there showing the amount of compensation that they have won for their clients and this will give you an idea of what to expect. Your union may also have this facility because they like to crow to members about how well they have done as it is a good marketing tool to get new members.

I have claimed against an employer as mentioned above but I have also claimed against a bad driver who drove into the side of my car causing severe whiplash (I am still suffering with the after effects today some 13 years later:mad: ), I used a no win no fee lawyer that I obtained via the RAC and I was awarded £8500 plus costs (this figure includes the £1000 interim payment that I received whilst I was waiting for everything to be sorted out) which my lawyer had which were in the region of £3000.

I can remember someone who stepped out of a lift which hadnt properly landed at floor level and stopped 2 ft short - they went through the union and got £33K so this gives you an idea of what a union can do - they are not all about pay rises and strikes.

Make use of your union - they are there to protect you and represent your interests with your employer, otherwise why pay subs if you aren't going to bother using them

Good luck.

PS. If you are not in a union and want to use the union for legal advice - then offer to backdate your subs for 3 months, some unions are so desperate for members then they will allow it (I used to) and they do relish the opportunity to take on the employer because they love getting compensation for people.