United Airlines employs tens of thousands of workers and is the largest airline at O’Hare International Airport in Illinois.
Were you an aviation worker employed by United Airlines and suffered an injury or developed an illness at work? If so, you may be entitled to benefits under Illinois law and your union contract.
Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve if you are injured in the workplace.
The personal injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have experience representing aviation workers who have been injured on the job. We will work to get you the benefits you need and deserve.
Contact our Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation to protect your legal rights. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
National and Illinois Airlines Worker Injury Statistics
Airline workers are at a higher risk for on-the-job injuries than many other professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatal injury rate for airline workers is more than three times higher than the rate for all employees.
In addition, data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) show that aviation employees are injured at work more often than employees in any other transport sector. NIOSH estimates that airline workers experience about 12,000 non-fatal injuries each year.
How the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act affects United Airlines Employees
The Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act is a law that requires most employers in Illinois to provide worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. This insurance covers employees who are injured or become ill due to their job.
If you are injured or become ill due to your job, you may be entitled to weekly or biweekly payments under the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act. These benefits can include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.
Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve if you are injured in the workplace.
The United Airline Union Collective Bargaining Agreement
United Airlines employs tens of thousands of workers globally. Many United Airlines workers work under the bargaining agreement between United Airlines and the Union.
The United Airline Union’s collective bargaining agreement is a contract that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for United Airlines workers. This contract covers wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.
According to the contract, aviation employees who are injured at work are entitled to benefits that could include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.
Qualifying injured airline workers might include:
- United Airline pilots
- United Airlines flight attendants
- Baggage handlers
- Ramp service personnel
- Ticketing personnel
- Mechanics
- Other United Airline employees
Are you an injured worker employed by United Airlines? If so, your union contract may entitle you to receive weekly or biweekly payments if you are injured or become ill at your job.
Contact a Chicago, Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer today for a free consultation to ensure you receive the payments you deserve if you are injured at work.
At the Chicago O’Hare Airport, the most common reasons for pilots, cabin crew members, and groundworkers to be injured in the workplace from:
- Slips, trips, or falls– 37 percent of total injuries
- Being struck by objects or equipment– 22 percent of total injuries
- Exposure to harmful environments– 16 percent of total injuries
Illinois Worker Safety Requirements for United Airline Flight Attendants, Pilots, and Other Employees
Under Illinois law, employers must provide their employees with a safe environment, including United Airlines. Employers must also provide workers’ comp insurance payments for all injured employees on the job.
The United Airlines employer maintains specific safety standards that help keep pilots, flight attendants, and baggage handlers safe. These safety standards include:
- Safety rules for using tools and equipment – Employees must receive training before using any equipment, such as a forklift or an aircraft. The employer cannot require employees to perform unsafe tasks.
- Proper facility access – Employers must provide proper access to all parts of their facilities to use facility equipment safely.
- Proper storage of dangerous chemicals – Employers must store hazardous chemical s in the right conditions do not pose a risk to workers. For example, employers should ensure their facilities have heat detectors if the chemical is flammable.
- General safety rules – All employees must use facility equipment and follow safety rules, such as wearing protective equipment and following all facility regulations.
United Airline Union Rules Concerning Work-Related Injuries
The United Airline Union has many rules concerning work-related injuries. Some of these rules include the following:
- Injured United Airlines employees must report any injury that occurs while on the job to their supervisor as soon as possible.
- All company employees are entitled to workers’ comp payments for any injury while on the job.
- Employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees and follow specific safety standards.
- Employees must follow all safety rules and regulations, including wearing protective equipment.
- If an employee is injured while performing a task for which they have not been trained, they cannot be disciplined.
- Employers cannot require employees to perform unsafe tasks.
- An injured employee cannot be disciplined until they have provided documentation from a doctor saying they can work.
- Workers’ compensation benefits will be reduced if an employee is found to have been intoxicated or otherwise impaired at the time of injury.
How to Prevent Workplace Injuries
A National Safety Council study found that most injuries are caused by workplace hazards that can easily be eliminated.
Some common causes of work injuries involving United Airlines employees include:
- Lack of protective equipment, distractions
- Poor training
- Improper facility access
The United Airlines management staff can prevent these problems from occurring by following certain steps:
- Train all employees before using any equipment, such as a forklift or an aircraft.
- Provide proper facility access to all employees and ensure they know where they can safely go.
- Store hazardous chemicals in the right conditions to not pose a risk to United Airlines workers. Employers should also install heat detectors if the chemical is flammable.
- Ensure that all employees follow safety rules and regulations, including protective equipment.
- Ensure employees follow proper safety procedures before allowing them to perform any task.
- Instruct employees to report all injuries immediately, even if the injury is minor.
- Employers should provide workers’ comp insurance coverage that provides specific benefits for the company workforce.
United Airlines Employees Filing for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits are available to injured employees while performing their job duties. The employee must show that their job caused the injury to qualify for benefits.
Some common injuries that qualify for worker’s compensation benefits include:
- Injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls
- Injuries caused by contact with hazardous materials
- Injuries caused by repetitive motion
- Injuries caused by exposure to dangerous conditions
- Injuries caused by violence in the workplace
- Illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous materials or dangerous conditions
- Injured workers must provide documentation from a doctor stating that they cannot work during the designated period.
In some cases, workers’ compensation lawyers cannot identify third parties that might also be responsible for the worker’s damages. Potential defendants in a third-party claim might include:
- The airplane manufacturer
- Pilots, flight attendants, and baggage handlers from other airlines
- Coworkers
- Airport vendors, suppliers, and maintenance crews
The financial recovery amount received in a third-party claim is in addition to getting the benefits applied to workers’ compensation claims.
The Workers Compensation Commission
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) is a state agency created to administer and enforce the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. The IWCC is responsible for:
- Processing workers’ compensation claims
- Investigating workplace accidents
- Determining which injuries and illnesses are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits
- Calculating the medical care and lost wage benefits that employees are legally entitled to receive based on state law
- Enforcing the provisions of the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act
The IWCC also provides information and assistance to injured employees and their families. They may help injured United Airlines workers and their families file claims and assist them in receiving the benefits they deserve.
Hiring Personal Injury Attorneys Who Represent United Airlines Flight Attendants, Pilots, and Other Employees
Were you injured while working at United Airlines or using their services? If so, the workers’ compensation lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help you in your work-related injury.
Our lawyers have extensive experience in resolving workers’ comp claims, disability benefits, and any wage loss for a work injury in the aviation industry.
We accept every workers’ compensation claim and wrongful death lawsuit on a contingency fee agreement, meaning no upfront fees are paid until the case is resolved.
Call our Chicago, Illinois law firm today at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. We protect our client’s rights throughout Illinois and various localities, including Cook County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, Champaign County, Winnebago County, Sangamon County, Will County, Winnebago County, and others.
