New legislation is being sought to improve the way workers’ compensation lawsuits are treated in Oklahoma, according to an article on NewsOK.com. The governor of Oklahoma addressed the House and the Senate recently regarding her proposal to change the way personal injury lawsuits are handled in order to help injured workers in a more timely manner.
The governor stated that with the way things are now, Oklahoma workers’ compensation costs are too high and claims are not processed quickly enough. Currently, the state has roughly 170,000 open workers’ compensation claims. The governor wants to see a hard cap set for non-economic damages at $250,000 which would include pain and suffering. At this time, there is no cap; however, a bill was passed two years ago that would place a $400,000 cap on all negligence cases if legislators passed an indemnity fund, which would cover jury awards over that amount. No fund has been created thus far.
Workers’ compensation in Oklahoma is available to those who have been injured while on the job, though it oftentimes does not cover the full extent of costs suffered by an injured worker. Medical bills can skyrocket quickly, leaving the injured worker and their family in distress. However, an experienced Oklahoma City workers’ compensation attorney can help.
Ray Maples, dedicated personal injury lawyer and founder of The Maples Law Firm, has the skill and resources necessary to hold negligent employers accountable for their actions in a court of law. If you have been injured while at work, you deserve to know your rights and options. Contact Ray Maples for a free and confidential consultation at (405) 705-5050.
