WORKERS' COMPENSATION

As a huge proponent of work place safety, I am truly sorry that you or your loved one has sustained a work injury. If all work place injuries could somehow be prevented, I would happily practice another area of law. Until that time, I am here to provide elite representation and legal guidance that will best aid your recovery.

What Workers' Compensation is
and how it works

Your employer pays an insurance premium to their workers' compensation carrier just like you pay a premium for your car insurance. When you get hurt at work and need medical treatment it is your employer's insurance carrier that pays for your medical treatment, and other benefits. Your employer, unless your employer does not have work comp insurance, does not pay for your injury out of their pocket. So don't ever believe anyone that suggests you are harming your employer by filing a workers' compensation claim.

Workers' Compensation (work comp) refers to the compensation an employee receives for injuries sustained while in the course and scope of their employment. Every state has its own workers' compensation rules and laws that govern work place injuries. In Oklahoma, this law is called the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act (hereinafter, the Act).

The Act requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. This insurance provides benefits (wage replacement, medical treatment, job retraining, and monetary compensation for permanent disability) to employees who are injured in the course and scope of their employment. Unless a work injury is caused by horse play or intoxication, an injured worker is entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury.

This workers' compensation system is meant to protect both employee and employer. The employee gets benefits without having to prove the employer was at fault and the employer is protected by a limit on damages an employee can recover.

This system sounds like a good compromise but in reality workers' compensation laws are complex and their application in many circumstances can be quite confusing. Many employers, and most insurance carriers, will do everything they can to prevent injured workers from receiving benefits. Your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier has the right to dispute your doctor's opinion or your entire claim all together. And that is where I come in.

Disputes between employee and employer regarding workers' compensation benefits are overseen by the Workers' Compensation Commission (the Commission). You should at least talk to a workers' compensation lawyer any time you are hurt at work. You should probably hire a workers' compensation lawyer for any work injury that requires medical treatment. And you should definitely hire a workers' compensation lawyer for any injury claim your employer and/or their carrier denies.

For most folks a work injury causes abrupt changes in their lives. If you were injured at work you are probably reading this because you have questions. Please know that I understand this is not a great time in your life and I will approach your questions and concerns with compassion.

I am here to help explain the work comp process and remove the guess work. I can tell you what benefits you can expect to receive and when. I will go over the workers' compensation laws and show you how they apply to your specific situation. If you decide to hire me I will get your claim started the same day.

I encourage you to go to the Oklahoma Worker's Compensation Commission website for information directly from the Commission. It is an extremely helpful site. It provides contact information for counselors you can call to ask questions about workers' compensation. They are not allowed to give you legal advice but they are very knowledgeable and they will assist you.

Of course, I can give legal advice and you are welcome to call me anytime. You can also just ask me a quick question or two by clicking 'contact' in the menu above.

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