There’s Bad News For Accident
Victims
Wanda Estrada of Vought
Benefits Office explained some of
the new problems to Lockheed
Chairman Herb Brand
On September 2, experts from the Vought Benefits
Office came to our union hall to explain changes in Texas’ Workers Comp Law to
leadership assembled by Vought Chairman Russell Strowd and Lockheed Chairman
Herb Brand. The news was not good. While Texas previously had 30,000 doctors
who were approved to take Workers Compensation cases, a new law effective September
1 had reduced the number to 1/3 as many! Another 4,000 doctors were being
considered on an emergency basis.
Texans who suffer workplace injuries will have to
make sure that their doctors are on the Approved Doctor List, according to
Local 848 Benefits Coordinator Craig Melton. The Workers Compensation web page,
www.twcc.state.tx.us, should list them. On their page, select “TEXCOMP”
on the left side of the screen; then go to “Main Menu” and select “Locate a
Doctor.” Enter the doctor’s name, city and zip code and click “Search.”
All of the Committeemen and Stewards have been
educated on the ins and outs of the new law; consequently, members should check
with them if they have questions.
Several participants in the leadership meeting
expressed their thanks to the Vought Benefits Office for making the extra
effort to explain the law. Both the teachers and the students agreed about the
changes: “Yes, there will be unfairness and hardships,” and “No one likes them!”