How to Protect Union Resources While Supporting Injured Workers

Union leaders are tasked with two incredibly important and difficult duties: Advocating for union members while also preserving the long-term financial strength of the organization. Union benefit funds are a crucial part of that puzzle, offering financial help when members are injured or disabled and cannot work. These funds are a result of the hard work of generations of union members; every dollar that unnecessarily comes from a pension fund or disability benefit fund is a dollar that could have remained available to support members in the future.

At Pond Lehocky, we understand the challenge of balancing these priorities. For decades, we have partnered with unions across the country to help injured workers secure the benefits they deserve from the insurance companies and government programs responsible for paying them. In doing so, we help reduce the burden on union-sponsored funds and preserve valuable resources for the members who need them most.

Too often, workers are unaware of all the benefits available to them through workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or other programs. As a result, they may rely more heavily on union-funded disability or pension benefits than necessary.

This creates a challenge for union leadership. While benefit funds exist to support members, they are not intended to relieve insurance companies or government programs of their financial responsibilities.

This is where Pond Lehocky can help.

Related: How Pond Lehocky Supports Union Workers

Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Union Workers’ Rights

Our attorneys make sure that injured workers receive every benefit they’re entitled to. We pursue workers’ compensation claims aggressively, holding insurance companies accountable when they try to shirk their responsibilities. We also help people obtain Social Security Disability benefits when eligible.

By securing benefits from the correct sources, we help ensure that insurance carriers—not union funds—bear the financial responsibility they were created to cover. The result is a win-win situation for both union members and union leadership.

For members, workers’ compensation and disability benefits can provide critical financial stability during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. For unions, successful insurance and SSDI claims can help preserve the health and longevity of pension and disability funds.

Protecting Union Members’ Health, Rights, and Community

Pond Lehocky also recognizes the importance of strong relationships between unions and their members. When workers receive much-needed support and guidance following an injury, they gain confidence that their union is looking out for their interests. Referring members to trusted legal counsel shows the union’s commitment to member care.

At Pond Lehocky, we have represented hundreds of thousands of injured and disabled individuals and have built longstanding partnerships with labor organizations across the country. Our team understands the unique challenges union members face and the critical role unions play in advocating for workers both on and off the job.

Our approach is collaborative. We offer the following:

• Individualized guidance for our clients, supporting them through the legal process and answering any questions they have.
• Tools to make handling a workers’ compensation claim simpler and less stressful. Our proprietary Rapid Response Team app offers a white-glove experience for injured workers in the early stages of their claim by guiding workers through the information gathering process and providing information about post-accident critical steps to help preserve evidence and provide resources.
• Communication with union leadership, benefit administrators, and member representatives to ensure workers have access to the information and legal support they need.

Pond Lehocky Fights for You

Most importantly, we maximize financial recovery from the entities responsible for paying claims. Whether that means pursuing workers’ compensation benefits, obtaining Social Security Disability benefits, or coordinating multiple sources, our goal remains the same: to protect and support workers while helping preserve union resources.

At Pond Lehocky, we believe that injured workers deserve strong advocates, and unions deserve trusted partners who understand the value of preserving member benefits for the future.

Together, we can help ensure that workers receive the support they need today while protecting the financial strength of union benefit funds for years to come.

FAQs

Are union members eligible for workers’ compensation?

Yes, union members are fully eligible for work comp benefits. While workers’ compensation is the primary program that assists injured workers, union members may have access to additional protections through their union’s collective bargaining agreement.

Can my union handle my workers’ compensation claim?

While your union can help with workplace issues, such as protecting your job while you recover from an injury or filing a grievance for unsafe working conditions, it cannot represent you during the workers’ compensation claim process.  For that, you need a specialized workers’ compensation attorney.

Can I get disability after a workers’ compensation settlement?

Yes, you are still eligible to receive disability benefits after receiving a workers’ compensation settlement.