GMB HELPS WEST MIDLAND WORKERS RECOVER OVER £4.5 MILLION IN COMPENSATION IN 2008.

The GMB Britain’s General Union wins £1,000,000 each week for members across the country. The GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region has helped its members recover a staggering £5,333,523.82 in personal injury claims this year alone.

The GMB operates a Legal Freephone Service, making it easy for members who have been injured at work to simply pick up the phone to call and register their accident. The cases are dealt with by a team of specialist lawyers and the GMB also offers members requiring legal advice for non-work related matters free fortnightly solicitor surgeries.

The GMB has helped many hundreds of members claim personal injury compensation from their employers.

Joe Morgan, Regional Secretary of the GMB Birmingham and West Midlands Region commented "this tremendous figure just goes to show the understated value of Trade Union membership. The no win no fee ambulance chasers would probably not have supported a whole raft of the cases we have on behalf of our members.  Also, our service is absolutely free to our members.  Nothing is taken out of their compensation.  Our legal teams who are the best in the UK are paid through our members contributions.  Our ultimate aim is to lessen the amount of accidents in the workplace.  However, when they do occur, we make sure our members are compensated accordingly."

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For further information please contact Andrea Austin Legal Administrator or Samantha Jones GMB Press Officer on 0121 550 4888.

Notes to editors:

The GMB in Birmingham and the West Midlands operates a telephone helpline to enable injured members and their families to get instant and free legal advice.

GMB members with work-related accidents and any accident outside work to themselves or their families can dial the freephone number 0808 100 9119 to obtain immediate access to legal advice.

There are around 54,000 members of the GMB in Birmingham & West Midlands Region and many work in industries that can be hazardous. The service, launched in January 2001, has given them immediate access to expert advice when they or their families need it most.