WHAT IS WORKERS COMPENSATION?

Workers compensation, commonly called “workers comp”, is the compensation of benefits for work-related injuries or deaths paid to the employee by the employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier. Workers compensation laws were put in place to protect employees who have suffered a workplace injury or contracted an occupational disease.  

TYPES OF WORKERS COMPENSATION INJURIES:

• All On-The-Job Injuries - An injury that is caused at work or as a direct result of your working environment can be classified as a workers compensation injury. 
• Automobile Accidents and Deaths - The leading cause of work related deaths is automobile accidents. There are a number of factors involved that can cause the accidents, such as the other driver, manufacturer parts, maintenance company or stress on the driver.
• Cancer Exposure - It is estimated that approximately 20,000 cancer deaths and 40,000 new cases of cancer each year in the U.S. are attributable to occupation. Firefighters are among many workers that are regularly exposed to cancer causing agents.
• Heart Attacks - Studies have shown that job related stress is a major cause of heart attacks in men and women. Whether it is stress due to increased job responsibilities, working environment or a conflict at work, employees are six times more likely to suffer a heart attack. 
• Occupational Diseases - When employees are diagnosed with diseases that result from exposure to elements at work that they ordinarily wouldn’t have exposure to outside of work, they can request workers compensation benefits. For example, a coal miner can reqiest benefits for a lung disease that is caused by inhaling coal dust at work.
• Oilfield/Oil Rig Injuries and Deaths - One of the most dangerous places to work in the United States is the oilfield. With the use of giant earth moving equipment and slippery and dangerous platforms, oilfield work related injuries and fatalities are commonplace.
• Repetitive Injuries - These types of injuries are a result of doing repetitive tasks over an extended period of time such as constant computer uses, standing, or carrying heavy items. With a repetitive injury, you may experience a shooting pain in your arm or back or an increase of pain with activity. 
• Traumatic Physical Injuries - A traumatic physical injury occurs when an accident happens at the exact same type a specific work related activity is being performed. For instance, when an employee slips on a wet floor and breaks an arm. Work related traumatic physical injuries represent the most common injury in Oklahoma.

MEDICAL TREATMENT:

According to official estimates, 200 people are hospitalized, 11,000 require emergency care, and thousands more require medical treatment for work related injuries every year in our busy nation. Getting proper medical treatment is of the most importance to the injured employee to ensure a speedy recovery. If you are injured on the job, you are entitled to ‘reasonable and necessary’ medical treatment to help aid the healing process.

REIMBURSEMENTS:

You are entitled to be compensated if your treating physician places you under certain restrictions or if you can’t work at all. There are several rules and regulations that are considered to determine what benefits you are entitled. In some cases you have the option to change physicians, get travel reimbursement for each doctor’s appointment or physical therapy visit. Prescriptions and copays that the injured worker has paid out-of-pocket are also considered for reimbursement.

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 Information Resources

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Website

Oklahoma Workers' Compensation - FAQ's

Oklahoma Department of Labor

Workers' Comp Quick Reference Handout

FILING A WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM

Each state has their own law governing how benefits will be paid to injured workers.
Dealing with the insurance companies and adjusters can be a time consuming and frustrating process.  Contact attorney Jeffrey Cooper to speak to an experienced attorney about Oklahoma Workers Compensation Laws.

THE RIGHT WORKERS COMPENSATION ATTORNEY

Homsey, Cooper, Hill & Carson is one of the most established and experienced workers compensation law firms in Oklahoma. We can help you with the process because our attorneys and staff are committed to handling your legal claims thoroughly, competently and efficiently with the objective of obtaining a fair settlement of all your legal claims. However, if the insurance company is not prepared to compensate you fairly for your damages, we are also committed to prepare your case for trial to fight for what you deserve.

We do not charge a fee for personally consulting with you about your on the job injury case. Homsey, Cooper, Hill & Carson work on a contingency fee basis, which means if we are unable to recover compensation for you, you do not owe us a fee. Not only do we have the resources, we have the experience, skill and dedication to successfully resolve your case. Protecting your rights is important to us. Call us today to arrange a confidential consultation.