CSEA Legal Services

Other Legal Services

Welcome to CSEA Legal
Programs & Services

Know your rights!
The information contained herein is intended solely as an informational and educational service for members of CSEA and its bargaining units. This information does not constitute legal advice nor should it be considered legal advice, which can only be provided by an attorney after a consultation regarding the facts of the specific case.

Legal Services Program

Our Legal Services Program (known as "LSP")
is designed to provide our members and their families/dependents
with legal representation in four distinct areas:

• Taking Care of Business (formerly Elder Law) Plan
• Workers' Compensation/Social Security Disability
• Personal Injury
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Taking Care of Business Plan
  
  
  Once again, CSEA has created a valuable Legal Services plan, adding to its already impressive array of coverages under the Legal Services Program. The Taking Care of Business Plan (formerly known as the Elder Law Plan) has been created to provide you and your family access to expert attorneys, who specialize in the complex area of elder law, estate planning, trusts, and advanced directives (health care proxy, power of attorney, etc.), at low, affordable rates.

Events such as illness or disability requiring long-term care can happen to you, your spouse, your child or your parent at anytime. You have worked hard to have your own home, put away money for retirement and save for your children. All of this could be threatened in an instant by some unexpected illness, accident or disability.

The Taking Care of Business Plan entitles CSEA members to legal consultations, guidance, document preparation and, where needed, representation pertaining to estate planning and Medicaid eligibility.

What Can the Plan Do for Me and My Family?
Why Should I Take Advantage of the Plan?
How Much Will it Cost?
How Do I Find An Attorney?










What Can the Plan Do for Me and My Family?
The CSEA Plan attorneys will:

Meet with you to review your present situation and make recommendations as to what you should do immediately.
Prepare necessary legal documents such as a Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Family Trust, Living Trust.
Counsel you with respect to estate tax planning strategies, IRA and pension fund planning, guardianships, long-term care insurance options, asset protection in the face of catastrophic illness.
Represent you in the Medicare/Medicaid application process, probate and estate administration.

Back to Questions Click Here
OR
Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________











Why Should I Take Advantage of the Plan?

Available services include:
Low cost wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies tailored to protect family assets and homesteads
Reduced fee trust agreements, deeds, Medicaid eligibility services
Non-crisis related consultations and pre-crisis planning
On-going annual trust services
Information and publications
Educational seminars

Back to Questions Click Here
OR
Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________















How Much Will it Cost?

All Plan attorneys have agreed to discount their regular fees by 20% for CSEA members and their families. Please note that fees vary depending on the geographic area of the participating attorney. Remember, without the benefit of the CSEA Plan discount, these services would cost you much more. Plan attorneys will provide you with quality services and expertise consistent with the other plans in the CSEA Legal Services Program.


Back to Questions Click Here
OR
Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________

How Do I Find An Attorney?

Choose an attorney from the following list based upon the CSEA Region in which you live or work:

LONG ISLAND REGION 1

Penny Kassel
Penny Kassel & Associates
300 Garden City Plaza
Suite 240
Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 294-8300
Fax: (516) 294-9291
E-mail: pkassel@kassellawfirm.com
www.kassellawfirm.com
*Also has offices in Hauppauge, East Hampton and Kew Gardens (Queens)

Ron Fatoullah
Ron Fatoullah & Associates
425 Northern Boulevard
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516) 466-4422
Toll Free: 1 (877) ELDER-LAW
Fax: (516) 466-2219
www.elderlaw-newyork.com

For more information, please call the Legal Services Program at CSEA Headquarters at
1-800-342-4146, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, weekdays.
Important: Follow the prompts for the Legal Services Program. Listen to the directions for accessing the non-injury legal services plans, which include the Taking Care of Business Plan, to locate a Plan attorney nearest you.

It's never too late or too early to consult with a Plan attorney. Even if a family member is already in a nursing home, there are special law provisions that might enable you to protect assets that would otherwise be spent for that care.

Back to Questions Click Here
OR
Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________













Workers' Compensation Legal Assistance Plan (WCLAP)


Workers' Compensation is insurance, paid for by the employer, that provides cash benefits and covers medical care for workers who require medical care or become disabled because of a job-related injury, sickness or occupational disease. Social Security Disability Insurance covers every disability a person may suffer from, not just on-the-job accidents, and which meet the Social Security Administration's definition of "disabled."

Since its rollout several years ago, we have seen the CSEA Workers' Compensation Legal Assistance Plan (WCLAP) become an important member benefit for you and your family. By using this program, hundreds of CSEA members already have received competent legal services for Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability claims. Many of you have received medical benefits and cash compensation which you may not have pursued or received without WCLAP's representation.

The WCLAP's success has made it possible for CSEA to expand this member benefit so as to provide legal representation in other areas involving personal injuries not related to work. Some Compensation matters also involve personal injuries involving a third party who is not your employer. For instance, a malfunction of a product being used on the job might mean that you have a personal injury claim beyond the Workers' Compensation coverage.

For more on personal injuries , If you or your dependent has a possible Workers' Compensation or Social Security Disability claim, please contact us at:

CSEA Headquarters
1-800-342-4146
(Follow the menu instructions
for the Legal Services Plan and listen to the directions
for accessing the injury-related plans)
8:30 AM to 5 PM, weekdays

WCLAP representation is provided by the law firm of

FINE, OLIN AND ANDERMAN, P.C. (FOA)
Click Here to go to their site

are experts in the areas of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability. Our plan will provide you with honest, courteous and professional representation, at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

[Fees, if any, come from your award and are determined by the
Workers' Compensation law judge, regardless of whom you select to represent you.]

The FOA attorneys can also answer your questions
and provide you with the necessary forms related to workers'
compensation/social security procedure.

Using the WCLAP program gives you the unique ability to access to your case-related documents via a secure FOA website. Plus, you will be updated regularly by FOA as to your case status.



Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________

Personal Injury Legal Plan


Much too often people do not know who to turn to or what their rights are when they are injured. CSEA has established this new plan covering job-related injury claims which may involve a third party or injuries occurring "off the job."

All personal injury matters including product liability, falls automobile, boating, aircraft accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice and any other liability case with significant personal injuries will be reviewed by competent attorneys with an expertise in the practice area.

Some personal injury matters may also involve an injury by a third party, whether directly or indirectly, in your workplace. For instance, a malfunction of a product being used on the job might mean that you have a Workers' Compensation claim in addition to a personal injury claim.

For more on Workers' Compensation. If you or your dependent has a possible
personal injury claim, please contact us at:
CSEA Headquarters
1-800-342-4146
8:30 AM to 5 PM, weekdays
Follow the menu instructions for the Legal Services Program
and listen to the directions for accessing the injury-related plans.

Representation in this area will be administered through the
law firm of
FINE, OLIN AND ANDERMAN, P.C. (FOA)
Click Here

which has, as a part of its firm, a separate statewide network of expert personal injury attorneys.

You may have the unique ability to access to your case-related
documents via a secure FOA website.
Plus, you will be updated regularly by FOA as to your case status.

Back to CSEA Legal Services and Programs
____________________________________________________

HOME | OFFICERS | CONTACT US | BENEFITS | CONTRACTS |
| JOB SPECS. | LINKS | EVENT PHOTOS | SPECIAL OFFERS
____________________________________________________

Union Plus Legal Service

Free and discounted legal assistance.
This service allows members of participating AFL-CIO unions to consult an attorney on personal legal matters or to prevent a legal problem. Union-approved lawyers at over 1,300 law offices nationwide are available.

Here's what the Legal Service offers:

No enrollment fee
Free review of select documents
A free 30-minute consultation - in person or over the phone
A free follow-up letter or phone call
A 30 percent discount on additional services

For attorney referrals, see the Union Plus Legal Service Attorney
Search on this site or call 1-800-342-4146 ext 1359 or 1403.

Union Plus Legal Service
Program Questions And Answers:

Q - What's the value of the Union Plus Legal Service to the average union member?
A - This service most often helps members avoid and resolve potential legal problems -- and usually for little or no money.Unlike corporations or the rich, the average union member may not know where to turn when in need of help or advice from a lawyer. But through the Union Plus Legal Service, he or she can get expert legal advice at an affordable price -- and most often for free.
Q - How is quality legal service ensured?
A - First, the member signs a written fee agreement with the Legal Service lawyer he or she has selected. Then, after the legal matter is resolved, the member submits a written evaluation of the lawyer's performance. And finally, the member has the option of following an informal grievance procedure that was set up to handle any disputes that might arise. Through these means, Union Plus is able to evaluate the performance of every attorney who participates in the program. If an attorney does not measure up to program performance standards, Union Plus can have that person dismissed from the panel.
Q - How does a member find an attorney?
A - The member may either call the member service or get in touch with his or her local leader.
Program Facts:

Because it costs nothing to join, the Union Plus Legal Service has an automatic advantage over other similar services, which often charge membership fees as high as $150 per year.
The Union Plus Legal Service offers a 30 percent discount on additional services. So if a member has a complex legal matter, he or she pays only 70 percent of the lawyer's normal fee. (However, smaller discounts apply to contingency cases, and the discount does not apply to the member's ownership or operation of a business.)
Research shows that over 75 percent of Union Plus Legal Service cases are handled free of charge. Among the services provided:

One free consultation of up to 30 minutes on almost any legal matter -- either over the phone or in person (which saves the member an average of $50). A member may consult with a lawyer as many times as he or she needs, provided it is about a separate matter each time.
Free document reviews. Under this provision, your members can have important papers, leases, insurance policies or other contracts reviewed and explained. (However, written evaluations are not part of the service, nor are documents written by the member or for use in a business capacity.)
Free follow-up services. In other words, if the member's lawyer thinks a phone call or letter will solve the problem, then it will be done -- without charge.

Union Plus Legal Service

Free and Discounted Legal Service Available Through AFSCME Advantage
No Charge on Over 75 Percent of Cases;
Complex Matters Handled for 30 Percent Off
There are times when you may need legal help or you simply have a legal question. Perhaps you've purchased a product that has turned out to be a "lemon," are faced with signing a complicated legal document, or need expert advice on a problem.
Where can you turn?
To the Union Plus Legal Service.
Through this exclusive union-members-only program, you get the legal advice you need at rates you can afford -- and most often for free. According to surveys, 75 percent of the matters brought to attorneys through the Legal Service are handled without charge.

The program entitles you to a free consultation of up to 30 mintues with an attorney on any matter that is not union-related. You may discuss the matter in person or by phone. If your attorney thinks a letter or a phone call can resolve your problem, then it will be done -- for free. If you need more in-depth legal assistance, you're eligible for a 30 percent discount on all services provided. The program also offers a free review of your personal documents -- such as leases, insurance policies or sales contracts -- at no charge (some limitations apply). And this represents real savings, especially compared to similar legal programs, which can cost up to $150 in membership fees per year.
"The Union Plus Legal Service is designed to meet the needs of working people," said Union Plus President Leslie Tolf. "The program offers free and discounted legal assistance -- without complications. It helps members avoid the high cost of legal assistance while providing them with service from an attorney they can trust."
The Union Plus Legal Service does not cover matters involving union-related organizations or officials. Attorneys are not obligated to take a case and may decline if they choose.

Back to Top of Page Click Here