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Arena Magazine 2007 Issue 4 Winter Arena |
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It pays to be in the union said Stefan Kiszka, 63, who was seriously injured in an accident at work, but thanks to Legal Plus he was awarded £23,450 in compensation.
"I've always been in the union," said Stefan. "You get a fair deal. I can't believe there are people who are still reluctant to join."
The accident happened five years ago when Stefan worked for Tibbett & Britten in Runcorn. "I was being trained as a fork-lift driver when, to avoid an oncoming truck, I hit a barrier in the warehouse which had been fitted the wrong way round," he said. "I was catapulted six feet into the air and injured my head, arms, back and abdomen. An ambulance was called and I was taken to my local hospital. I was kept in for four days."
Stefan was off work for six months due to his injuries and depression and his employment was eventually terminated.
"I was the union rep at the site so I knew exactly what to do," he said. "I filled in my Legal Plus forms and a union solicitor took up my case. Everything was paid for - medicals, legal fees and even a barrister - there's no way on earth I could have paid for any of this. I didn't have to worry about a thing.
"I can't believe that in this day and age some people do not join the union, take it from me the benefits far outweigh the cost."
www.usdaw.org.uk/member_services/legal_services
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