WINNING COMPENSATION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2024 :: RMTnews 27 LEGAL SUPPORT FOR RMT MEMBERS AT EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS If you are experiencing difficulties in the workplace and need advice regarding a potential employment tribunal claim contact the union. In the first instance, ensure that you contact your local RMT Representatives or Regional Organiser. Then complete an L2 – Request for Legal Assistance (available on-line) and send it to your Regional Office with all supporting documentation. RMT’s legal department deals with virtually all cases from assessment to the case’s conclusion at a tribunal for members across England and Wales. The legal department has also submitted claims to Employment Appeal Tribunals. The in-house legal department is now firmly established and employs four solicitors and continues to advise and support members in their work-related criminal cases in the Magistrates Court. This often involves defending members against false allegations made by the public of assault, false allegations of theft and alleged driving offences. Furthermore, it continues to offer tailored advice and support for bus and taxi drivers, in respect of their licensing issues, licensing appeals before the Magistrates Court, driving offences, and in respect of appearances before Traffic Commissioners. The In-house legal department continues to strive to deliver a first-class service to all of members. They are committed to provide a strong service to assist the union through the ever-changing legal landscape and their successes have grown yearly. Your Free legal service covers: • Employment Law – provided by the RMT Legal Department • Access to Personal Injury Lawyers – where 100 per cent of compensation is kept by members. • Access to a basic will service. • Access to special terms for conveyancing, probate, powers of attorney. • Access to special terms for family law related matters. The contact number for the legal department is 020 7084 7260 or go on-line to rmt.org.uk/about/legal-services/ arriving for the night shift. Following an examination by an appropriate medical expert, a medico-legal report confirmed he suffered a contusion to his right forearm, a soft tissue injury to the lumbar spine and injury to his right knee. He was absent from work for a period of 19 days due to his injuries, incurred travel and medication costs and required care and assistance for two weeks. Liability for the accident was admitted and negotiations followed but no agreement could be reached so court proceedings were served. As a result of the initiation of court proceedings, the Defendant’s insurers subsequently accepted a previous offer of £6,017.83p to compensate our member’s injury, losses, and the effects on his personal and family life. Another RMT member who was thrown from his bike when he hit a patch of ice which had not been gritted has secured compensation for the injuries that he sustained as a result of the fall. The Network Rail employee had been cycling to work at the Gretsy Road Depot in Crewe in December 2020. Entering the site via the front entrance, he proceeded along the road before making a left hand turn towards the Network Rail yard. It was then that he slipped on a patch of ice on the road which blended in with the tarmac on the road making it difficult to see, causing him to come off his bicycle. He suffered internal bruising to his left side and torso because of the fall, as well as injuries to his left shoulder and back. Following the incident, the member instructed workplace injury experts at Thompsons Solicitors to bring a claim for compensation against his employer, alleging that more could have been done to protect him. His legal team argued that the lack of gritting and the poor lighting in the area contributed to the injuries he sustained. Through his RMT membership Thompsons Solicitors was able to secure the worker an out-of-court settlement worth £1,500 without the need to go to court. It is now hoped that Network Rail has learnt from the incident and will take steps in the future to prevent further injury. TRACK MAINTENANCE An RMT member who suffered bruising to the ribs and lacerations to the knee and thigh has received a compensation care package. The injury occurred while the member was attending a track failure as he was replacing the troughing lids, he stepped to go around the stanchion and fell into a piling hole, impacting his ribs on the metal rim of the hole. Following his ordeal, the RMT member instructed workplace injury experts at Thompsons Solicitors to bring a claim for compensation against the track maintenance company. The company accepted responsibility and the member received an out-of- court settlement of £4,500, reflecting the severity of his injuries and the impact on him both personally and professionally. Cases such as this show the value of the union’s legal service and demonstrate that the union is prepared to take on cases that other solicitors might not. It is hoped that this outcome will assist health and safety representatives at the workplace and help prevent similar accidents in the future.