Oklahoma Workers Comp Law

Workers Compensation laws are in place to provide medical and financial benefits to employees who have been injured on the job. These laws are in place to protect both workers and their employers. Workers receive monetary and medical protection under Oklahoma Workers Compensation laws in that if they are injured on the job their medical care is taken care of and they receive fixed monetary amounts to compensate for lost wages at work. These benefits are provided in exchange for the forfeited right to sue the employer and are fixed amounts to avoid litigation. The employer thus benefits from this exchange in that they essentially receive immunity from lawsuits originated by the employee, and they only have limited liability for their workplace. Generally, when a person is injured while at work, they are limited to remedies available under Workers Compensation laws.

There are a few instances however, in which these general Workers Compensation rules do not apply. Under the Federal Employment Liability Act (FELA), railroads who engage in interstate commerce can be held liable for employee injuries if their negligence is found to be a contributing factor to the injury. The Merchant Marine Act (the Jones Act) provides the same protection from employer negligence to seamen as FELA does for railroad workers. The Black Lung Act requires liable mine operators to pay disability payments for workers who have contracted “black lung” (pneumoconiosis) from their employment in the mine.

If you are seeking Workers Compensation and would like to speak to an attorney familiar with Oklahoma Workers Compensation laws, contact Rick J. Henthorn PLLC at (405)354-6800 about your Workers Compensation claim. You may also contact us via our online contact form.