Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 3

Providing you with the best in legal aid

Read how these Usdaw members and their families benefited from our Legal Plus service.

Legal Plus came up trumps for the Price family despite warehouse supervisor Roy not being a member of Usdaw when he had an accident at work. Fortunately his wife Joan was and he received free legal advice as well as substantial compensation.

"After the accident Joan phoned the Usdaw helpline number and explained what had happened," said Roy, 68.

"My wife who worked for Sainsbury's had been a member of Usdaw for over 20 years, was aware of Usdaw's Legal Plus service and the help available for members and their families but didn't really know too much about it. We were over the moon when we found out that the union would handle my case," said Roy.

The accident happened in 2001 when Roy worked for Homebase in Rayleigh, Essex. He injured his right shin when a delivery of timber fell onto him.

"My doctor told me I wouldn't be able to return to work. It was an extremely worrying time for myself, 64 at the time and my wife who was 66, both just coming up to retirement. But thanks to Usdaw we now have financial security in our retirement, I can't thank the union enough. Legal Plus really is there just when you need it most."

First class legal advice, expert medical opinion and £6,500 in compensation was delivered to warehouseman Martin Johnston after he injured his ankle at work.

"Usdaw was absolutely brilliant," said the 26 year-old Tesco worker from Newtonards, Co Down in Northern Ireland. "I had the best of everything during my claim. It was all sorted out quickly and efficiently.

"My rep contacted me immediately after the incident. It was entered in the accident book and he also helped me fill in the forms for my free legal advice. Within no time at all I had a letter from an Usdaw appointed local solicitor.

"I've been a union member for three years and Usdaw has never let me down. I wouldn't be without my union membership, it's worth every penny."

Usdaw membership is great value for money, said meat factory worker Chris Anderson, 46, who was awarded £2,150 after she injured her back in an accident at work.

"I didn't know I could put a claim in until I spoke to my union rep," said Chris who works for Grampian Country Pork in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. "Usdaw appointed solicitors to look after my claim and they took care of everything for me.

"It couldn't have been easier. I wouldn't be without my union membership now."

HGV driver Terry Doolan took the right turn after he had an accident at work and went straight to his union rep, made a claim with Legal Plus and was awarded £45,687 in compensation.

"You can't afford not to be in the union," said Terry, now 63. "I had expert advice every step of the way. My solicitors fought tooth and nail for me. It didn't cost me a penny, and I couldn't have been in better hands."

Terry wrenched his back when he was thrown around his cab after it hit a pothole in the dairy yard. It happened in 2001 when he worked for Express Dairies in Ashby, Derbyshire.

"The accident was entered in the accident book and I went to see my GP," said Terry. "I was off work for four weeks but when I went back I was in too much pain and had to go off sick again. I was in a bad way."

Terry's employment was eventually terminated due to ill-health and his case was settled earlier this year.

"I tell everyone to join the union," he said. "You never know when you might need Usdaw's help. I couldn't have come through this terrible ordeal without the union's backing and support."

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