Welcome to your page for Workers Compensation updates. Over the upcoming weeks and months you will be able to visit this page and get links to the NYS Workers Compensation board, the forms you will need to help you navigate through the process, updates on our efforts to get the fair and needed workers compensation reform we ALL deserve and information on the law firm the Union has on retainer for workers compensation representation.
Effective January 1, 2009 the C-3 form that is used by a worker to report an injury to the New York State Workers Compensation Board has changed. This form has been expanded from one page with a few general questions to a three page questionnaire with multiple, in depth questions. Although this form may seem a bit overwhelming, it should be filled out anytime one of our members has a work related injury or illness to insure they receive all of the treatment and benefits they are allowed under the law. It has been recommended by our workers compensation law firm Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP that you contact them so they can walk us through the form to help insure that it is filled out correctly.
Also, it is critical to make sure you seek medical attention as soon as you possibly can after reporting your injury. The workers comp board will assign a temporary WCB number until medical has been added to your file. As always, you should seek medical attention from a doctor of your choosing who you feel comfortable with and is working in YOUR best interest!
The Western New York Workers Compensation Committee, which is made up of the United Steel Workers, United Auto Workers, and the Communication Workers of America, that our local is a part of has announced that a new contract has been reached with Lipsitz, Green, Scime,& Cambria to remain as our law firm on retainer. Listed below are the new rates
| Loss of Hearing | Fees not to exceed 8%) |
| Lump sum (section 32) | Fess not to exceed 8% |
| Schedule Loss of Use | Fees not to exceed 8% |
| Lost Time | No frees on lost time from work |
| Classification of permanent partial disablility in which money is moving to the injured worker: | Fees not to exceed 7 weeks of classification benefit rate, spread out over a period of time if requested. |
| Past Money Moving | 6% |