Thompsons Solicitors has secured almost four million pounds in compensation for RMT members during 2015 for cases ranging from asbestos-related disease and road traffic accidents, to workplace accidents.

RMT members using the union legal service provided by Thompsons Solicitors receive free legal advice and representation on a range of issues, including personal injury, at or away from work, on holiday and on the road, serious injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries and industrial disease. The scheme also covers family members for non-workplace accidents.

The firm, which has specialist accident at work teams, secured more than £1.7 million for clients who suffered an injury as a result of their work, including compensation for RMT member Andrew Tiffin after he suffered a severe crush injury while working at a maintenance depot.

Thompsons Solicitors, the firm which won the first ever successful case for an asbestos-related disease in the UK in the House of Lords in 1972, also settled claims on behalf of three clients suffering from asbestos disease to the value of almost half a million pounds (£497,417).

In the last 12 months, 93 RMT members were supported by the union through personal injury compensation claims after a road traffic accident.

Doug Christie, union and client director at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “RMT members who use the union legal service are entitled to keep 100% of their compensation, whatever the injury, however complex the claim.

“Our aim at Thompsons, working with the union, is to secure the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest possible time to help provide financial security and rehabilitative support.

“Since our foundation, Thompsons Solicitors has been committed to the trade union movement and this, coupled with our specialist teams of solicitors and connections with support groups, means that we are well-placed to offer wide-ranging support to clients at what is often a very distressing time in their lives.

“Thompsons Solicitors is proud to stand up for RMT members and their families with legal services accessible through a dedicated advice line on 08457 125495.”