Dealing with the Oklahoma workers’ compensation process often seems like too much to deal with on top of managing the fallout from the injury. Unexpected workplace injuries are tragic; they’re also one of the most common injuries someone can suffer. However, while workplace injuries are common, they almost always catch the injured party by surprise and leave them struggling to maintain a regular work routine and move forward with their day-to-day activities. Some injured workers even delay reporting the incident because they aren’t sure workers’ compensation laws cover it. Fortunately, finding out if workers’ comp applies to your injury isn’t as tricky as many expect. The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming at all when you turn to a local Oklahoma workers’ comp attorney.
Finding Out If Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Covers Your Injury:
If you’ve been injured in the workplace and you’re overwhelmed by the thought of seeking compensation – start with the first step. Find out if workers’ comp covers your injury. Seek the guidance of an experienced Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorney if you have experienced any of these common Oklahoma workplace injuries:
- Slip, fall, or trip injuries
- Muscle strains
- Injured after being struck by an object
- Pinned by an object or caught between objects
- Work-related car accidents
- Injured after stepping on an object or being struck by an object
- Burns (or other heat/cold-related injuries)
- Cuts, punctures, or scrapes
Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation – Are Other Injuries Covered?
The common injuries listed are based on workers’ compensation claims received by the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2020. Slip, fall, or trip injuries accounted for the most significant number of claims received at 26%, with muscle strains (19%) and injuries due to being struck by an object (15%) coming in as a solid second and third most common workplace injury. However, please do not assume that your workplace injury is not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits simply because it doesn’t fall easily into one of the common injury categories. Any injury could qualify for compensation if it occurred in the workplace due to activities or tasks required to fulfill your job duties. For instance, while the most common workplace injury, slips, falls, and trips, accounted for 26% of claims in 2020, “other injuries” accounted for 20% of claims. So the 2nd most common type of injury seen by the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission was “other injuries.”
Does Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation cover every Worker?
Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation laws cover almost every worker or anyone injured while working in Oklahoma. However, you may find that there are a few exceptions to note.
- Are you an independent contractor?
- Are you an agricultural worker?
- Are you employed by a small family business?
- Are you paid on commission?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation laws might not cover your workplace injury. If you still aren’t sure, ask your employer directly if you are covered.
Where Did Your Injury Occur?
Once you determine if you are eligible for workers’ compensation, the most significant factor determining eligibility for benefits is where you were when the injury occurred. Did the injury happen in the workplace? Was it directly caused by work conditions? Injuries that occur on the job or in direct relation to tasks required for a job are generally covered under workers’ comp laws; unless the injury occurred due to the injured party’s own negligence.
What If Your Employer Doesn’t Pay their Workers’ Comp Insurance?
If your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits but your employer denies your claim, or because they don’t have workers’ compensation insurance, you can still seek the compensation you are due. However, you’ll need to present evidence to the claims court about your injury and that you were denied benefits unfairly. Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can significantly increase your chances of success.
Contact Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Discover how a worker’s compensation attorney can help you navigate the workers’ compensation process and seek fair compensation for your workplace injury. Contact Armstrong & Vaught, PLC, Premier Workers’ Compensation, Employment, and Social Security Law Firm. We are devoted to providing excellent legal services to clients from all walks of life. Contact us online or call (918) 582-2500 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney.