A workplace accident can leave you with serious physical injuries, lost wages, and growing medical bills. And if you cannot return to work, you may face anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thankfully, an Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer can help you obtain workers’ compensation benefits.
If you are injured in a workplace accident, you might not have the time and energy to seek compensation from the responsible party. That is why we encourage you to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. A workers’ comp lawyer has the knowledge, skills, and resources to help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
At Ascend Disability, we have a team of workers’ compensation lawyers who understand how to navigate the complex workers’ compensation laws in Oklahoma. We are ready to prove your workers’ compensation case. And we will do whatever it takes to get you the maximum compensation.
Ready to schedule your FREE consultation? Call us at (855) 445-9787 today.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance that provides medical care and/or cash benefits to employees who become ill or are injured in the course of their employment.
How Do I Know If My Injury Is Covered By Workers’ Comp?
You will need to determine the cause of your workplace injury to know if your injury is covered by workers’ compensation.
In Oklahoma, workers’ compensation covers the cost of most workplace illnesses and injuries, including lung cancer, bruises, cuts, sprains, strains, shoulder injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, etc.
However, there are a few exceptions, such as injuries that occur due to failure to follow the company’s rules or alcohol or drug use.
What Are the Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Oklahoma?
It is crucial to know the benefits that are available benefits to you. Why? The insurance company may try to deny your claim and refuse to pay out. So, if you do not know the benefits you are entitled to, you will be at a disadvantage.
Here are the types of workers’ compensation benefits in Oklahoma:
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits cover payment for payments to approved medical providers, including doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and care at home.
Wage Replacement Benefits
Wage replacement benefits cover payments for your lost wages as you recover from your workplace illness or injury. So, if you are unable to work, you will be compensated for your lost wages.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Vocational rehabilitation benefits cover job placement services, training for new jobs, retaining jobs, and resume help. This is true if your workplace illness or injury prevents you from doing your normal job.
The purpose of vocational rehabilitation benefits is to help an injured employee gain employment.
Death Benefits
If you lost a family member due to workplace illness or injury, death benefits will cover lost wages and funeral expenses.
What Should I Do If I’m Hurt on the Job?
Tell Your Employer You Are Hurt
You need to report your workplace accident to your supervisor or your employer within 30 days. Do not just tell your colleagues. If you fail to report your workplace accident, you might not get the full benefits.
Make an Appointment with an Approved Doctor
Once you report your accident, your employer will provide an approved list of doctors. You need to make an appointment with one of these doctors and follow their guidance and instructions.
Keep a Written Record
Keep a written record of your workplace injuries and symptoms. You must write down the dates and the names of potential witnesses.
Record Your Injuries
If your injuries are visible, you can use your smartphone to take photos and record videos of your injuries. Your Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer will use these photos and videos as evidence.
File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
You can now hire a good Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorney to help you file your workers’ compensation claim properly. Your attorney will advise you and guide you throughout the whole process of recovering the full compensation.
How Can an Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me?
If you or a loved one was injured in a workplace accident, you are entitled to workers’ comp benefits. It is, however, not easy to obtain the money you are entitled to. Your employer and their insurance company will do whatever it takes to pay as little as possible.
So, here is how a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you:
File a Claim
Workers’ compensation lawyers are knowledgeable and experienced. They understand workers’ compensation laws. Your attorney will follow the complex procedures to properly file your workers’ compensation claim.
Deal With the Insurance Company
Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help injured employees. However, the insurance company will not willingly pay the compensation. Your lawyer will ensure the insurance pays the full compensation you are entitled to.
Appeal a Denied Claim
The insurance can deny your workers’ compensation claim. So, if your claim is denied, your lawyer will file an appeal. Your lawyer will go through the response of the insurance and investigate to know if the insurance provider acted in bad faith.
You can trust your Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Looking for a reputable, reliable, and experienced worker’s compensation lawyer in Oklahoma? We, Ascend Disability, have the best workers’ compensation lawyers in Oklahoma.
Contact (855) 445-9787 to talk to our workers’ comp attorneys.
How Much Does an Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?
Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorneys work under the contingency fee arrangement. They will not charge you for their services upfront. So, you do not have to worry about upfront legal fees. Your lawyer will take a small percentage of the compensation they get you.
Steps for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Oklahoma
It is not easy to recover workers’ compensation benefits. If you do not report your injury or miss deadlines, you will not recover the compensation. Fortunately, you can follow the following steps to file your workers’ comp claim in Oklahoma:
Report Your Injury
Firstly, you need to report your workplace injury within 30 days from the date of your workplace injury. You should do it in writing. Why? You need evidence that you reported your workplace injury to your supervisor or employer.
Try to Informally Resolve the Claim
Secondly, once you report your workplace injury to your employer, you can now try to resolve your claim informally with your employer and their insurance company.
Hire a Skilled Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Thirdly, if you fail to resolve your claim with your employer, hire a skilled Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer to help you file your workers’ comp claim.
File Your Petition for Benefits
If your employer’s insurance provider is not willing to pay the compensation you deserve, your lawyer can file your workers’ comp claim with the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission. You can trust your lawyer to do it properly and include the relevant details and supporting documents and records.
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers’ Compensation Process?
An employer is legally required to provide a safe working environment, respect employee rights, file a First Report of Injury, cooperate with the investigators, allow their recovered employees to resume their duties, and cooperate with the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission.
What Are My Rights After an On the Job Injury?
- If you were hurt on the job, you have several rights in Oklahoma:
- You have the right to wage replacement benefits if you cannot return to work due to your workplace illness or injury.
- You have the right to receive medical treatment for your workplace illness or injuries.
- You have the right to protection from retaliatory action by your employer.
- You have the right to legal representation throughout the whole process.
- You have the right to appeal a denied claim
- In the event of a death, you and your family have the right to receive death benefits
What Can I Do if My Claim Is Denied in Oklahoma?
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied in Oklahoma, you can appeal the denied claim. We, however, highly encourage you to work with an experienced and knowledgeable Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer. Your lawyer can help you appeal a denied claim.
Here is what you can do if your claim is denied in Oklahoma:
File a Workers Comp Appeal
You have to file your appeal within one year of your workplace incident or injury. You need to complete and file Form 3 with the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Administrative Hearing
You will have to attend a hearing before an administrative judge. Your workers’ compensation lawyer will, then, advocate on your behalf in front of an administrative judge. You will need strong evidence to support why your workers’ comp should be allowed.
Are There Deadlines for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Oklahoma?
Yes, there are deadlines for filing a workers’ comp claim in Oklahoma. You have one year from the date of your workplace injury to file a workers’ comp claim in Oklahoma.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim in Oklahoma?
No, an independent contractor cannot file a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma. This is because workers’ comp coverage does not extend to independent contractors in Oklahoma.
Can I Be Fired for Claiming a Workers Comp Claim?
No, you cannot be fired for claim a workers’ compensation claim.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Oklahoma has a no-fault system with workers’ compensation. That is why you cannot sue your employer for negligence in Oklahoma. You can, however, sue your employer for your workplace injury if their conduct involved a disregard for your safety or if their conduct was intentional.
What is My Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
It is difficult to determine the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to. The exact amount you will get will depend on the severity of your workplace injury and your wages at the time of your workplace injury. You will need a good workers’ compensation lawyer to help you determine the benefits you can recover.
Contact Ascend Disability to Help You
A workplace injury can lead to serious, catastrophic, and even fatal injuries. If you are injured in a workplace accident, your family may end up spending more money on your medical bills. You may even have to stay out of work for several weeks or even months. Fortunately, you may be eligible for worker’s comp benefits for your workplace injury.
You are, however, facing a long difficult legal journey. And it is not easy to deal with your employee and their insurance company. They will hire the best lawyers to protect their interests. You, too, need strong legal representation. Lawyers understand the ins and outs of worker’s compensation. Having a good lawyer can give you peace of mind, reduce your stress, and protect your rights.
Looking for an experienced Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyer?
At Ascend Disability, we have helped hundreds of clients get the benefits they deserve. We will carry you through the process, and improve your chances of getting the maximum benefits you truly deserve. We will protect your rights. We will not let your employer and their insurance provider intimidate you. Call us today at (855) 445-9787 to schedule a FREE case review.
