'What the union did for us'

(from 'The Observer' Cash section - 9 Oct 05)

Two years ago the Dewison family, of Morpeth in Northumberland, were holidaying in Tenerife when 14-year-old Natalie had a horrendous accident. She was following her father through the hotel foyer, when he passed through a glass swing-door and she put out her hand to stop the door hitting her. The glass instantly shattered and she was scarred on her upper arm and face.

'We thought Natalie was going to die because she had lost so much blood and, at best, we thought she was going to lose her arm,'

said Natalie's mother, Lorraine.

She didn't lose her arm but a doctor spent three hours sewing up the wounds. Every three months since the accident Natalie has had to go to a plastic surgeon in the UK to reduce the scarring.

The family decided to take legal action against the travel company.

'I wanted to ensure this sort of accident did not happen to anyone else and to cover the cost of medical treatment in Tenerife and ongoing plastic surgery,'

Lorraine said.

A work colleague advised her to contact UNISON. She was doubtful. What would her union have to do with an accident in Tenerife which didn't even involve her? In fact, many unions provide free telephone access to legal advice for members and some schemes cover legal help for accidents abroad and for family members.

The dispute went to court and the Dewisons won. The lawyers were able to prove that the mechanism that caused the door to swing back broke the equivalent of a royal decree for the manufacture of safety doors. Damages were assessed at £11,540. According to law firm Thompsons, solicitors working on a 'no win, no fee' basis wouldn't have touched the case.

Lorraine, who has been a UNISON and NALGO member throughout her 25 years in local government, said:

'I have no worries about the mounting legal fees, all thanks to my UNISON membership.'