Download
1 / 22
220 likes | 237 Views
UNISON Legal Services. Benefits of Union Membership. UNISON membership entitles you and your family to an extensive package of free and discounted legal services Personal injury cover for you , including road traffic, serious injury and workplace accidents, work related diseases
E N D
UNISON Legal Services
Benefits of Union Membership UNISON membership entitles youand your family to an extensive package of free and discounted legal services • Personal injury cover for you, including road traffic, serious injury and workplace accidents, work related diseases • Personal injury cover for your family for non work accidents • Employment rights advice • Advice and representation in police stations • Reduced cost conveyancing • Will writing service. (First basic will drafting service is freefor UNISON members. Our wills’ specialists will need to give you more detailed advice if this is not your first will or your circumstances or wishes are complicated. The fixed and low cost for completing your willusing this specialist service is from £180.00 and if this applies to you then you will be given the option as to whether you wish to proceed).
Why use Union Lawyers? UNISON only uses expert lawyers – specialists in their field Unlike High Street law firms or those who advertise on the TV who take a cut of your compensation, as a UNISON member you and your familyget 100% of your compensation with no deductions. Your injury does not need to be related to your employment for you to use your Unison legal service Thompsons Solicitors’ Bristol Office supporting charity with the ‘Hats for Headway’ Day.
Why do Unison use Thompsons? Thompsons has throughout its history refused to act for insurance companies or employers. Thompsons Solicitors has led the field in personal injury law for over 80 years and won many of the test cases that have made the law. Thompsons are experts with the technical knowledge to best protect the interests of you and your family. Thompsons has offices across the UK with hundreds of specialist staff Thompsons Solicitors’ Chief Executive, Stephen Cavalier, speaking at a ‘Show Racism the Red Card’event
Thompsons’ Pledge Thompsons will stand up for you by: • Staying true to our principles - regardless of how difficult our job is made by government, employers or the insurance industry • Remaining committed to the trade union movement, working closely with them and with professional associations for the benefit of working people everywhere. Thompsons pledge that we will: • Work solely for the injured or mistreated • Refuse to represent insurance companies and employers • Invest our specialist expertise in each and every case • Fight for the maximum compensation in the shortest possible time • Be open and transparent about fees and costs.
Personal Injury: Serious Injuries Serious injuries are complex and life-changing often impacting every aspect of a person’s life, and that of their family. Thompsons Solicitors’ serious injuries lawyers specialise in just those cases and put clients and their families at the heart of everything they do. Even if your home or car insurance policy offers you a solicitor you do not have to use them – the choice is yours. Instructing the right solicitor who has expert knowledge and significant experience is key, and UNISON and Thompsons are there for you. Images from Union Members’ road traffic accident claims
Serious Injuries Case Study Seven-figure pay out after losing a leg at work David Robinson, a serious injury specialist at Thompsons, said: “Our team was proud to support Tom on his road to recovery. Securing for him the funds he needed to have a state-of-the-art prosthesis and specialist rehabilitation services was a high point. The interim payment gave Tom money to fund his ongoing rehabilitation needs and to obtain a prosthesis that allowed him to get on with his day to day life in greater comfort. The significant damages we secured on his behalf was structured in such a way as to ensure that his long-term needs would be met and that he had access to the right support after what was a life-changing injury”. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/great-ayton-man-secures-seven-figure-9072261
Advantage of early instruction • Advice and reassurance. • Interim payments. • Rehabilitation. • Welfare benefits.
Advice and Reassurance • Uncertain, worrying and nerve wracking times. • We have seen a number of people/families in this situation. • We are familiar, through experience, in dealing with issues which arise and can advise or know where to obtain advice.
Interim Payments & Rehabilitation • Financial worry. • Loss of earnings – member/family. • Travel/accommodation costs. • Treatment costs • Initial Needs Assessment (SIU). • Aids/equipment. • Care. • Accommodation. • Treatment.
Legal Framework - value • General Damages- financial compensation for • Pain, suffering and loss of amenity • Includes psychiatric injury • Loss of life? • Examples • Quadriplegia and/or very severe brain damage (e.g. Cerebral Palsy as a result of birth injury) £175,000 - £220,000. • Paraplegia (e.g. spinal cord injury during surgery) £120,000 - £155,000. • Complete loss of sight in one eye (e.g. during cataract surgery) £27,000 - £30,000. • Failed sterilisation leading to unwanted pregnancy about £15,000.
Legal Framework - value (continued) • Special damages - e.g. • Loss of earnings and pension • Accommodation • Costs of care • Aids and equipment
Occupational Disease Thompsons Solicitors have a long history of representing workers who have contracted diseases as a result of their working environments. Thompsons has specialists in: • Industrial deafness • Hand arm vibration syndrome • Carbon monoxide poisoning • Chemical poisoning • Silicosis • Dermatitis Thompsons Solicitors won the first ever asbestos claim in the UK and its specialist Asbestos Team has a renowned reputation acting for those with mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Injuries abroad UNISON’s legal service is even there for you when you are on holiday. If you or your family are involved in a road traffic accident abroad, or suffer food poisoning when staying in a hotel, you may be able to sue in the UK. Thompsons Solicitors has a dedicated team to deal with such claims (which can often have complex points of foreign law and international rules to comply with).
Occupational Disease Case Study Thompsons Solicitors is known for pushing the boundaries of the law. For Shaun, pictured right, Thompsons pursued the case all the way to the Court of Appeal to secure him compensation for life-changing injuries sustained from breathing in a toxic mix of chemicals at work because his employer failed to provide him with appropriate personal protective equipment. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9128743._Even_if_I_got___50m__I_still_couldn_t_dance_with_my_wife_/?ref=arc
Employment Law Advice UNISON has an extensive network of very experienced full time officials able to help you and your branch officials with employment rights problems. Where UNISON consider that your case requires legal input, they instruct Thompsons Solicitors to advise and, where appropriate, represent you. Thompsons’ Employment Rights team only acts for union members and regularly fights cases in local Tribunals right through to the European Court to protect worker’s existing rights and to secure additional rights. Unfair dismissal Wrongful dismissal Discrimination Harassment Flexible working
Criminal Law Assistance “It will never happen to me” … but what would happen if you are accused of crime related to your work and find yourself in the police station? • Thompsons provide a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service for Police Station advice and representation for UNISON members accused of a work related crime. • If you need help during the day, complete a CR form, obtainable from your branch office. Any legal assistance for criminal work is subject to the authority of UNISON. • If you need emergency help out of hours call the dedicated emergency helpline number 0800 587 7530.
Wills Everyone should make a Will. If you do not make a Will there is a danger that those people you would have wanted to look after your affairs and to benefit from after your death will not do so. Making a Will should ensure that there are no legal complications for your loved-ones to have to deal with should you die suddenly. Making a Will using Thompsons could not be easier – just call Unison Direct. This service is provided by BBH Legal Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thompsons Solicitors. First basic will drafting service is freefor UNISON members. Our wills’ specialists will need to give you more detailed advice if this is not your first will or your circumstances or wishes are complicated. The fixed and low cost for completing your willusing this specialist service is from £180.00 and if this applies to you then you will be given the option as to whether you wish to proceed.
Low Cost Conveyancing UNISON members benefit from low cost rates for both selling and buying homes. You can find out more and access the service through Unison Direct.
Who you going to Call …? The first call for you and your family’s legal needs should be UNISON Direct. 0800 0 857 857 Contact can also be made online (www.unison.org.uk) or by text phone: 0800 0 967 968.
Feedback from members • “My parents and I would like to thank you for all your help and determination in pursuing my claim to its successful outcome. We very much appreciate your patience and diligence.” • “The service was easy to use, un intrusive and the Solicitor was professional and treated me with respect and understanding. Everything was explained to me very clearly and I would recommend Thompsons Solicitors to friends, family and colleagues.” • “Without your constant support or and encouragement, I would not have “stayed the course!” My husband and I can now look forward to a financially secure retirement thanks to Unison and Thompsons..” • “Words are not enough to say how grateful I am for your tireless work and commitment…”
