Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 6 November December

Don't be fooled by 'no win no fee'

Usdaw members have no need to call on any legal assistance other than the union's Legal Plus service.

For legal representation on all work-related issues, and for assistance outside of work, union members have no need to risk using one of the 'no win no fee' companies advertised in the media. These often leave their clients out of pocket or with only a fraction of their compensation.

On these pages you can read how Usdaw recovered and delivered every penny of compensation to its members across the UK.

• Part-time general assistant Margaret Clarkson, 53, was awarded £2,000 after injuring her ribs after a fall at a Sainsbury's store in Edinburgh.
• Part-time Boots health care assistant Dawn Wallace, 62, from Nottinghamshire was involved in a road traffic accident on her way home from work. She was awarded £1,200.
• Sainsbury's warehouse operative Neil Norcross, 40, from Haydock received £1,000 after he injured his neck and back when a delivery cage fell on top of him.
• Kelloggs process worker David Farrell, 40, received £1,100 after he sustained a burn to his arm because of faulty equipment at the Manchester plant.
• Business Express delivery driver Rick Theaker, 34, from Scunthorpe, received £1,400 after he was injured in a road traffic accident.

Grocery assistant Carl Hopkins received £16,000 in compensation after he was seriously injured on his way home from work.

Carl was knocked off his scooter in October 1999 at the Tesco store car park in Clifton, Blackpool.

"I was taken to hospital where tests showed that I had a broken neck as well as multiple injuries," said Carl, 35.

"I was off work for six months. As soon as my rep found out about the accident he rang me at home.

"It was a well timed call because I hadn't realised the union could help with accidents outside the workplace so I probably wouldn't have pursued it.

"Within a few days I received a letter from a local solicitor who dealt with my case. He even came to the house to talk to me. My case was settled earlier this year. I had a great service from start to finish. I wouldn't be without my union membership now."

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/arena_journal/18/carl.html
Last Modified: Thursday, 08-Dec-2005 22:34:28 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits