On December 10, 2013, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma heard oral arguments en banc regarding the constitutionality of Title 85A (the newest version of the state’s workers’ compensation code, a.k.a., Senate Bill 1062). The hearing—which took one hour and 14 minutes—was animated, entertaining and enlightening, and focused almost exclusively on the Oklahoma option (OKO). It took just four days for the Supreme Court to rule that the law is not unconstitutional.
Winter 2013
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Oklahoma Title 85A Update
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Front and CenterWhy is it dangerous to use the term “workers’ compensation” when you don’t have a workers’ compensation program? The new Oklahoma Option reminds us of an old problem that too many Texans do not adequately appreciate.
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SuperScriber
The Oklahoma Injury Benefit Coalition (OIBC) was formed in 2011 by some of the state’s top employers. From its inception, the OIBC worked tirelessly for legislation to improve the state’s workers’ compensation system, and many, including legislative leaders, credit the coalition for having played a pivotal role in building support for the game-changing reforms adopted in 2013.
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Oklahoma Title 85A Update
On October 31, 2013, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin selected Robert H. Gilliland and Denise Engle as the final two members of the newly established Workers’ Compensation Commission. Ms. Engle and Mr. Gilliland will sit with Troy Wilson, who was appointed as the Chair of the Commission on August 26, 2013. See full press release from the Governor’s office.
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Quarterly Advance
The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) has agreed to give WPG an interview, which we will publish in our Spring 2014 issue.
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Diligence Due
This installment of Diligence Due addresses the Quarterly Advance question from the Fall ’13 Workplace Guardian, which can be summarized as follows (see complete version here):
“How do you properly address bodily injury exposures for volunteers in your particular state(s)?”
None of the answers we received from readers were correct, which is unsurprising given that volunteer exposures confound the most experienced risk managers.
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Word on the Web
Prose we pass along to our readers.
