Legal & Medical Officers Report 2009

Once again it is that time of the year for the annual reports and I have to say that the Panel of Union Solicitors have done the membership proud. They have secured a record £35 million in payouts.

Again I must bring it to the member’s attention the fact that part of their Union Membership contributions pays for the Legal Services which in most cases is available to them free.

A small number of members have in the past gone to an outside Solicitor with their claim. Unfortunately some solicitors have encountered problems when trying to secure information from Royal Mail, which is not surprising and they in turn have had to advise the member that they cannot proceed with their claim. It must be noted that the Unions Panel of Solicitors have a long standing with the Union and are very familiar with businesses infrastructure.

I must once again remind members old and new that if they are involved in an accident on duty they must ensue that their line manager registers the accident through the “ERICA” system on the computer.
You also must ring the Branches Legal & Medical Officer on this phone number 0151 708 5563 and if you cannot get a reply then please leave your name, address and workplace and a contact number if we need to get hold of you. An LS3 form will be sent out to you where you will be required to complete and return the form to the Branch in the return envelope provided.
You must also report the accident to the Department of Works & Pensions (formally the D.H.S.S.) at Barrow in Furness by phoning them on this number 0845 603 1358. You will need your National Insurance Number to hand when you phone them.

There are two reasons as to why we ask you to phone the DWP:
The first reason is that they will send you out certain paperwork for you to complete. When you have completed the paperwork return it in the envelope provided. Once they have received the paperwork they then investigate the accident. If their findings are that they accept it as being an accident they in turn notify you and also your employer of their decision. Your employer then notes the fact that it has been accepted as an accident on duty and places this on your sick absence record. This then should not be then counted against you if you trigger any stages in your conduct procedure.

The second reason why we insist that you register the accident with the DWP is that when you completed the Unions LS3 form you actually trigger of two claims. The main claim is handled by the Unions appointed solicitors and the second claim is a scheme maintained by your employer and this is the Personnel Accident & Insurance Scheme. This second scheme is based upon any life or long term DWP assessments that may be issued. It must be noted that there is a strict time limitation period of six months from the date of the accident as to register the accident with the employer. If this is not done then your second claim will be time barred.

You can also register a claim now on the internet by visiting:

www.cwuaccidenthelpline.com.

Listed below is a list of services that Simpson Millar LLP (the Unions Appointed Solicitors) provides:

Personal Injury Claims (on or off duty).
Traffic Accident Assistance.
Endowment Shortfalls.
House Sales and Purchases.
Occupational Disease.
Help with making a Will
Investment Advise.
Advise on Employment Rights.
Family Law.

They can be contacted on a Free phone Number 0800 804 6674 and again on their E-mail address at www.simpsonmillar.co.uk

May I take this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Ray Lucas

Legal & Medical Officer