Sound Advice in Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Claims
If you were hurt on the job and you'll miss more than a few days of work, you're probably eligible for Oklahoma workers' compensation benefits. Workers' comp is intended to protect workers from the loss of income and medical expenses that result from a work-related injury, whether you suffered it in an accident or it reflects repetitive stress or trauma over time.
To learn about your right to workers' compensation or if you run into problems with the interruption or reduction of benefits payments, contact Wilburn & Masterson in Tulsa to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable attorney.
Call 888-OKLA-LAW or 918-770-4839 to Consult With a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
The main things you need to prove to qualify for workers' comp are a work-related injury and a resulting inability to work. You don't need to prove that anyone was negligent, but even proving the injury and its connection to your employment might be harder than you'd think. For example, was your traffic accident suffered between sales calls or while on your way home? Workers' compensation will cover injuries under the first example but not the second.
If you were hurt in an accident, such as a fall or an equipment malfunction, it's important to report your injury to your employer right away. You might otherwise invite the objection that your injury was not related to your job, which could disqualify you from benefits.
For injuries resulting from repetitive stress or chronic exposure to minor trauma that becomes serious over time, state law requires notification of the injuries no more than 90 days after the last of the work alleged to have caused the harm.
The most common area of dispute under the Oklahoma workers' compensation system concerns the nature and extent of the injuries. Did you strain your back or do you have a herniated disc? Do you suffer from shin splints or a stress fracture? Are you ready to return to work after ten weeks off or do you need more time to recover?
Employers and their insurers essentially control medical diagnosis and treatment in our workers' compensation system. You might need the help of an attorney to prove a period of total temporary disability, permanent partial disability, or a permanent impairment. A lawyer's help will also be valuable if your benefits are terminated before you're ready to return to work.
Attorneys Fees in Workers' Compensation are Fixed by State Law
At Wilburn & Masterson, our familiarity with the workers' compensation system and the most effective ways to establish your right to benefits can help even the odds against your employer and its insurer. While some of our clients turn to us for help only after they run into problems with their claims, we recommend that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible after you're hurt. Attorneys fees in workers' compensation claims are set by state law.
For more information about our ability to protect your interests in a workers' compensation case, contact Wilburn & Masterson in Tulsa for a free consultation.
