NECA / IBEW Workers' Compensation Trust
The NECA / IBEW Workers' Compensation Trust ADR Program is administered by a balanced Board of Trustees comprised of six members. Like the NECA / IBEW health and welfare and pension plans, the Trustees are appointed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and by the National Electrical Contractors' Association (NECA).
Among other responsibilities, the Board of Trustees approves the lists of doctors and other vendors eligible to provide services to injured IBEW members. Additionally, the Board engages the services of the ombudsman, mediators, and arbitrators to assist in answering injured workers' questions and resolving disputes.
Office of the Ombudsman
Hopefully your workers’ compensation claim will go smoothly and you will be satisfied with the services you receive. However, if at any time you have an unresolved issue with the insurance claims adjuster, or if you do not feel comfortable with what is being done, or if you have a question about your ADR Program, simply contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The word "ombudsman" is Scandinavian in origin and generally means one who investigates complaints, reports findings, and helps to achieve fair settlements (AOE, 2017, para. 13).
"The NECA/IBEW [ADR Program] has substantially benefited from its choice of ombudsman. They were able to hire an individual with immense knowledge of the workers' compensation industry who received no criticism from the injured workers we interviewed about their interaction with him."
Medical Care
Your alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program is designed to deliver high quality medical care and other workers' compensation benefits much faster, providing access to an impartial expert for information on issues that pertain to resolving your workers' compensation claim.
The Board of Trustees is very concerned you obtain benefits which you are entitled and that you receive the quality medical care which will assist in returning you to your employment at the earliest possible time.
Prior to sustaining an injury, you may pre-designate your own doctor to treat you in case of a work injury. If you become unhappy with the medical treatment you are receiving, contact your insurance claim adjuster directly or the Office of the Ombudsman because you may be able to change from one treating doctor to another under certain circumstances (AOE, 2017, para. 11).
Need Help?
You may find general information by viewing answers to frequently asked questions. Specific information and forms pertaining to this ADR Program are available through online access. Also, you may contact the Office of the Ombudsman if you have any questions regarding your Workers' Compensation ADR Program, your medical services, or anything else related to your work injury claim.
References
American Ombudsman Enterprises. (2004). Rules of the NECA / IBEW workers' compensation trust alternative dispute resolution program. Anaheim, CA: Author.
American Ombudsman Enterprises. (2017). Your collectively bargained workers' compensation alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program: NECA / IBEW workers' compensation trust ADR program [Brochure]. Anaheim, CA: Author.
Levine, D. I., Neuhauser, F. W., Reuben, R., Petersen, J. S., & Echeverria, C. (2002). Carve-outs in workers' compensation: An analysis of the experience in the California construction industry. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. ISBN: 9780880992381.
