Successful start for Usdaw's personal injury call centre

Usdaw’s new personal injury call centre has had a successful first month.

According to members who have used the service, FirstCall Usdaw is living up to its strapline 'No forms No fuss No delay'.

The fast response resource for Usdaw members was launched at the Union’s ADM on 27 April 2008. In the first three weeks the free 24/7 telephone claim line has received 425 calls to log injury and disease cases for members and their families.

Real life examples of how the claim line is delivering for members:

Case Study One

Day one – member has accident at work
Day five – member is made aware of FirstCall Usdaw and calls the number. Member receives phone call from solicitor
Day six – member receives letter from solicitor, with information on what is being done on her behalf and details of how she can track the case

The member, her employer and colleagues have all expressed how impressed they are by the efficiency of the new system. The member’s case is currently being processed.

Case Study Two

Day one – member has accident at work
Day two – member rings FirstCall Usdaw. Member receives phone call from solicitor within 30 minutes
Day three – member receives letter and information pack. Member receives second call from solicitor arranging to visit him at home
Day four – solicitor meets with member at his home. Solicitor sends letter of claim to employer

The member has said that he is very impressed by the speed of response from FirstCall. He has previous experience of having pursued a claim using the old BL1 forms and on that occasion had to wait until he was back in work before he could obtain a form, so it was not until eight weeks after his accident before he was able to send a BL1 form to central office.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, commented:

“The wellbeing of our members is of great importance to us, so it is great news that they are finding help so quickly with FirstCall Usdaw. I would encourage any member who has had an unreported workplace injury in the last three years, to give FirstCall Usdaw a ring today.”

Members can call FirstCall Usdaw for free on 0800 055 6333 or, for more information, visit Usdaw’s Legal Plus website at:

http://www.usdaw.org.uk/member_services/legal_services/

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 359,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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