Our Workmans Comp Attorney can help you if you’ve been injured at work. Certain laws have been passed under the new workers compensation laws. Some of the new laws are creating hardships for Oklahoma workers. One such provision in the Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation system that could leave you without medical coverage. As a result, this could cause you to have to pay tens of thousands of dollars of medical expenses. This pays out of your own pocket if you have an accident on the job.
The Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Act provides workers with insurance coverage protecting them if they are injured at work. However, if you work for one of the larger companies, you may not be covered by the state’s worker’s compensation system. A 2014 law allows Oklahoma companies with at least 100 employees and $1 million in assets, to “opt-out” of the state workers compensation system. They must, however, purchase alternative insurance for their employees. Further, this must occur with the prior approval of the Oklahoma Department of Insurance. On the surface the opt-out clause sounded fine. This was until two Oklahoma women received denials of coverage after sustaining injuries on the job. Alternatively they were unable to sue their companies in District Court.
New Oklahoma Workers Compensation Laws:
Two Oklahoma women recently challenged the constitutionality of the law after receiving denials on their claims for benefits. The basis of their petition was that private insurance companies could deny benefits to injured workers based on their own underwriting guidelines. Because workers had waived their rights to file lawsuits against their employers it left the two women with little recourse. Further, the petition sought to repeal or modify the Employee Injury Benefit Act and reinstate the “no-fault” clause for all Oklahoma companies. The no-fault clause forces insurance carriers to cover all legitimate employees claims.
On April 29, 2015, The Oklahoma Supreme Court refused to hear the case leaving the opt-out clause intact as is. According to the Oklahoma Supreme Court website, www.oscn.net, Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled 7-2 to not take up Judy Pilkington et al. v. State of Oklahoma.
We keep abreast of the latest developments concerning the developments and challenges to Oklahoma worker’s compensation laws that effect injured Oklahomans. We help injured workers and will also file your work injury claim within 24 hours and aggressively advance your work-related injury claim. If you would like a free consultation with a local Claremore Workers Compensation attorney please call us.
Free Consultation: Workmans Comp Attorney Claremore:
Our Workmans Comp Attorney Claremore has the experience with the latest workers compensation laws in Oklahoma. Provisions like the OPT provision can have a serious impact on your ability to file a work injury claim. Get a free consultation with a Claremore Injury Attorney from Kania Law Office call 918-379-4872
