How Newark's Local Unions Helped Injured Construction Workers

A serious injury on a construction site in a busy city like Newark is a moment of crisis. In an instant, you are in pain, out of work, and facing an uncertain future. For many workers, this is a lonely and scary time. However, for members of a local construction union, it is different. When you are a union member, you are not alone.

From the moment an accident happens, a powerful support system springs into action. Your local union provides a multi-layered safety net that includes on-site advocacy, help with benefits, access to legal support, and financial aid. This is the power of solidarity.

Here at Levinson Axelrod, we know the many ways your local Newark-area union is there to help you after a construction accident, and when you need additional support. If you have been hurt, a New Jersey construction accident lawyer from our firm can work with your union to make sure you get all the help you are entitled to. Call us for a free talk.

What Happens Right After a Construction Accident in Newark?

The first few minutes after an injury are chaotic. This is when your union's support first kicks in, right on the job site.

The Union Steward: Your First Line of Defense

On a union job site, you have an on-site representative called a shop steward. The steward is your first defender. When an accident happens, their job is to look out for you. A good steward will:

• Make sure you get immediate and proper medical attention.
• Document the details of the accident from a worker's point of view.
• Talk to witnesses while their memories are fresh.
• Report the incident to the union hall to get your support network started.

This is a huge protection. On non-union sites, we have heard horror stories of employers delaying medical care to avoid an official report. Your shop steward is there to make sure your health comes first.

How Do Newark Unions Help with Workers' Compensation Claims?

The New Jersey workers' compensation system is supposed to be simple, but it can be a confusing process. Your union helps you through it every step of the way.

Guidance and Education

Your union can help you understand the process of filing a workers' compensation claim. They can explain your rights and what to expect. The state even partners with unions to hold educational meetings for workers. You can find a basic guide to the benefits you are owed on the NJ Department of Labor's website.

Access to Trusted Legal Help

If your claim is denied or if the insurance company is giving you a hard time, your union can refer you to a law firm they trust. These are experienced New Jersey workers' compensation attorneys who have a history of fighting for union members. Our firm is proud to be one of the law firms that local unions have trusted for decades to represent their members. We are New Jersey lawyers who understand your specific trade and your union contract.

What are the Financial Safety Nets Provided by Newark-Area Unions?

Perhaps the biggest benefit of being in a union is the powerful financial safety net that protects you and your family when you get hurt and can't work. These benefits are paid for by your employer for every hour you work, but they are managed by the union for your benefit.

Health and Welfare Funds

This is the fund that provides excellent health insurance for you and your family. It is separate from workers' comp. While workers' comp pays for the medical bills for your work injury, your union health plan covers everything else for your family. Many plans have rules to keep you covered even when you are out of work on disability.

Pension and Annuity Funds

If your injury is so severe that you can never return to your trade, you may be able to get a Disability Pension from your union. This can provide a monthly income for the rest of your life. Annuity funds can also sometimes be accessed in a time of extreme financial hardship.

Member Assistance Programs (MAPs)

Many unions also have special programs to provide small grants or other help to members who are going through a tough time after an injury.

How Do Local Unions in Newark Prevent Accidents from Happening?

The best way to help an injured worker is to prevent the injury in the first place. Newark-area unions are leaders in safety.

World-Class Safety Training

Union apprenticeship programs are some of the best in the world. They include hundreds of hours of safety training. Members learn the rules from OSHA and the specific safety skills for their trade long before they step on a dangerous job site.

On-Site Enforcement

The shop steward is not just there for accidents. They are the safety watchdog on the job every day. They have the power to stop work if they see an unsafe condition, protecting the entire crew from harm.

Political Advocacy

Unions also fight in Trenton and in city halls for stronger safety laws that protect all workers. We have seen this right here in our community. When workers were being mistreated on job sites in the Newark and Jersey City area, the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) organized a "Laborers Fight Back" campaign to publicly demand safer job sites. This kind of advocacy makes every job site safer.

What Happens if I Can't Return to My Old Job in Construction?

A career-ending injury is a devastating blow. Your union is there to help you find a new path forward. Unions can connect their members with state programs like NJBUILD. This program can help workers get training and education for new careers in the construction industry, such as becoming a safety manager, an inspector, or an estimator.

Even if a member is permanently disabled, they are still a part of the union family. They are still a part of the brotherhood and sisterhood.

Reach Out to a Top-Tier New Jersey Personal Injury Law Firm

Your union provides amazing support for your workers' comp claim and your benefits. But to get full justice, you often need another key partner.

While your union protects your rights as an employee, a lawsuit against a careless third party is the only way to get money for your pain and suffering. This is where we come in.

Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys will work hand-in-hand with your union representatives.

• Your union makes sure you get your workers' comp benefits and your health coverage stays active.
• Our trial attorneys file a separate personal injury lawsuit against the careless general contractor, property owner, or other company that caused your injury.

This two-pronged approach is the most powerful way to get the maximum possible recovery. Our firm understands how to work with unions. We respect their role, and we work as a team to get the best result for the injured member.

In Newark, your union membership is a powerful shield. When you combine that shield with the sword of an experienced trial law firm, you have the best possible protection after an injury. If you have been injured on a New Jersey construction site, talk to your shop steward, and then contact Levinson Axelrod. Our consultations are always free and confidential.