Teamster railroad union members built America and remain essential in keeping commuter and freight locomotives traveling throughout the U.S.A. and parts of Canada. Due to the physical nature of these jobs, they can be dangerous and are prone to causing injury. If you are a railroad worker who has recently sustained a debilitating injury, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork you must complete to even qualify for temporary disability claims. It can be difficult to navigate the forms involved when you have been injured on the job. However, it is crucial for you to ensure you have filled out all of the relevant forms, as you can miss out on significant benefits if your paperwork is incomplete or untimely filed.
Be Prepared for Disability Claims
Historically, the Teamsters Union represents the most physically demanding jobs, such as railroad locomotive engineers and individuals with the skills to operate heavy equipment. The common injuries for these positions are often very serious and can be long-lasting or permanent. Even if you are a teamster who has not sustained an injury, it is still important to store the disability/wage forms we will give to you today. As someone with a high-risk job, you never know what could happen during your work, and you and your family should always be prepared.
Injuries on the job
If you suffer an injury on the job, you must file for Sickness/Accident Compensation using the RRB form (attached herein). You must file this form within 30 days of your accident. Once you start receiving your RRB benefits, in lieu of your normal company pay, you must fill out the Aetna Supplemental Disability Sickness Benefit. Under the Teamster Union collective bargaining agreement, Aetna has to supplement your income. However, the Aetna form must be filed within 60 days of your accident, or you will lose access to this additional benefit.
No matter what railroad you work for – ConRail, Norfolk Southern Railway, Union Pacific, AMTRAK, LIRR, Metro North, C.S.X., P.A.T.H., New Jersey Transit – or any other railroad across the country, these forms will apply for your disability benefits. For your convenience, you can find the Aetna Supplemental Income form here and the referenced RRB form here. We have also linked the RRB Disability Annuity form as well as the MTA Disability Pension forms for those folks that are forced to confront an occupational disability.
Contact Our Railroad Disability Claims Attorneys
The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are well-versed in handling railroad disability grievances and claims, including the associated F.E.L.A., Locomotive Safety Act, and U.S. Railway Safety Act litigation on behalf of injured railroad workers. The firm recently achieved a $1.3 million jury verdict for a Master Mechanic injured while operating a shuttle wagon derailing due to a failed hydraulic system. Other recent achievements by the firm on behalf of our clients are a $13 million jury verdict for an operating engineer and a $2.5 million settlement for an injured laborer. If you were injured during the course of your work, you may be entitled to additional compensation. Hach & Rose, LLP‘s Railroad Labor Department specializes in F.E.L.A. litigation involving disabled railroad workers and has former designated union counsel on board. Call today to speak with one of our FELA attorneys at (646) 798-1382 for a free review of your case.