Arena Magazine 2008 Issue 1 Spring Arena

Legal Plus cases

Dennis Noble and Kath Tirebuck tell their stories.

Dennis knew exactly what to do

The 61 year-old was moving a cage at his depot in South Wales when the side fell off causing him to wrench his knee. Luckily Dennis has been a union rep for ten years and knew exactly what to do.

"I know all about the benefits of Legal Plus, it's something I'm always pointing out to my members," he said. "In my experience it's one of the main reasons people join."

The accident happened in August 2006 and although Dennis, who works for Capper & Co near Cardiff, finished his shift the pain continued. "A week later I went to the A&E department, had an X-ray and was told I would need a knee operation using keyhole surgery.

"I filled in the union's legal forms, sent them in and within a couple of weeks I received a letter from a local solicitor in Cardiff who took up my case. It couldn't have been easier.

"Everything was straightforward and dealt with very efficiently. I was kept fully up-to-date with how things were progressing. I didn't have to worry about a thing."

Insurance policy worked for Kath

The 60 year-old cook fell and broke her arm in the canteen at the Morrisons store in St Helens, Merseyside. She was off work for nine months.

The accident happened in 2005. "It all happened so quickly. I was in agony. I went to hospital and my arm was put in plaster," said grandmother Kath.

"It was a worrying time for me, and my husband wasn't in the best of health either.

"It was a great relief when my union rep told me about Legal Plus. She brought the forms to the house and helped me fill them in. She was fantastic.

"It was real peace of mind knowing I had the full backing of the union's free legal service. My rep explained the comprehensive cover to me. It only cost me the price of my subscriptions - great value.

"It couldn't have been easier. Within no time I had a solicitor in Liverpool looking after everything. I didn't have to worry about a thing. My case was settled at the end of last year.

"I tell all my colleagues to join the union - because I know from experience it's your best insurance policy at work."

www.usdaw.org.uk/member_services/legal_services

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