USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

Representing  employees at Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Strattec Security Corp. in Milwaukee, WI

 

Membership Meeting 

Sunday December 7, 2008

Frank Monreal's El Matador

9155 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee 

9:30a.m.

   Members are urged to Attend this Meeting.


Home Up Opposed Twin Dies Election of Delegates President's Report Briggs Second Shift Plan for LaborFest Hearing loss Membership Info Meeting Recap Upcoming Events Voice of workers Strattec Corner Briggs Retirees June Meeting

 

Home Up Opposed Twin Dies Election of Delegates President's Report Briggs Second Shift Plan for LaborFest Hearing loss Membership Info Meeting Recap Upcoming Events Voice of workers Strattec Corner Briggs Retirees June Meeting

Work related hearing loss is compensible

Because many members are now approaching retirement, there have been many inquiries made regarding compensation you may be owed for hearing loss you have due to your employment at Briggs and Stratton or Strattec. We are therefore offering the following suggested procedures for workers to follow to claim their proper compensation.

If you have a hearing loss and it is work related, you are entitled to compensation if the amount of loss is above certain minimums. Hearing loss can be proved through an audiogram. An audiologist, known as an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT) usually performs these tests. There are a few procedures you must follow to process your claim. By doing so, you can minimize the hassles in receiving the compensation payment.

  1. You must be out of employment for seven (7) consecutive days before you obtain a hearing test.

  2. If you belong to one of the EPO insurance plans, you must go though your selected health care facility and pay the co-pay required. This does not preclude your right to go to an (ENT) outside that facility. However, you will be responsible for the full cost of the exam if you wish to do this. For those of you who have PPO insurance, hearing exams are not covered.

  3. It may be helpful for the doctor performing the test to review the prior hearing tests taken during your employment at Briggs or at Strattec. You can obtain these by contacting the Worker's Compensation Department at Briggs and Stratton (259-5697). At Strattec you should contact Doreen Roebel. It can take awhile to retrieve the test, so ask for these tests as soon as possible.

  4. Have a doctor send the results of the hearing test to:

    Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Division

    201 E. Washington Ave., Room 161

    P.O. Box 7901

    Madison, WI 53707-7901

  5. As soon as all information is received, your claim will be reviewed and you will be notified if you have a compensable loss of hearing.

  6.  If a hearing aid is recommended as a result of a compensable loss, it should also be covered. Briggs & Stratton employees should contact the Worker's Compensation Department at Briggs & Stratton (259-5697) to get information on obtaining hearing aids. We do not know if Strattec has suggested providers. Some providers do charge much more than is "usual and customary."