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2011 Union Meetings

Monday, December 5 at 5:30 pm

HEALTH INSURANCE COST GOES DOWN

Effective December 1, the hourly contribution for our health insurance decreased

from $6.20 to $5.60.  Therefore, effective December 1, the Journeyman wage rate

will be adjusted upward to reflect this change.

Check out the wage and benefit section under "Why Be Union" to see these changes.

IBEW LU 271 IS HAVING AN ANGEL TREE

AGAIN THIS YEAR.

PLEASE CALL 267-8255 FOR DETAILS!

Business Agent Jim Davis is retiring.

Come join us in saying goodby at an open house at the

Union Hall on December 7 from 1pm till ? and/or at a

reception in his honor on December 9 at the Main Gallery

of the City Arts Building, located at 334 N. Mead,

from 5 pm till 9 pm.

        New Kansas Workers Compensation Law Goes Into Effect May 15, 2011

Gov. Brownback just signed into law significant changes in the Kansas Workers’ Compensation Act. These changes will be effective on May 15, 2011,

and will apply to all injuries occurring after that day. Most of the changes are adverse to injured workers, especially older workers who may have preexisting

conditions. As your Union attorneys, we are trying to provide this information to Union members before the law changes.

Some of the major changes are summarized below:

1) Notice of injury. Most injuries will need to be reported within 30 days of the accident. However, different rules apply if you see a physician for your

injuries and/or if your injuries are from repetitive trauma. Different rules may also apply if you are laid off, quit or are fired. In many cases the time to

report an injury may be reduced to 20 days.

2) Prevailing Factor. One of the biggest changes in the law is the new requirement that your work injury be the “prevailing factor” in your injury or disability.

No longer will injuries be deemed work related just because work played a part in the condition. 

This will really affect aggravations of preexisting conditions. Any condition you have as of May 15, 2011, could be considered a preexisting condition.

If you have such a condition that has been aggravated by work, you should file a claim before May 15, 2011.

3) Future Medical. Future medical benefits will not automatically be left open on claims after May 15, 2011.

4) New definition of accident. The new law redefines what types of injuries are considered work related. This is mainly done by listing different kinds of

conditions that will no longer be considered work related injuries. Although we will challenge these provisions in court, if you are having problems now,

it would be best to file your workers compensation claim before May 15, 2011.

If you are having physical problems that you think were caused or made worse by work, you should most likely file a workers compensation

claim before May 15, 2011. Contact us at 316-262-6800 to schedule a free consultation.

These are highlights of the changes made by the legislature. We will be providing more detailed information but this will not probably happen until after May 15.

Please have anyone who thinks they have workers compensation issues contact us for a free consultation, before May 15, so they may make an informed

decision as to what action they should take.

Tom Hammond

Hammond, Zongker & Farris, LLC

727 N. Waco, Suite 200

316-262-6800