Ponca City Personal Injury Law Blog

While stay-at-home orders have been lifted and life is slowly beginning to return to normal, it is important to be mindful that case counts of COVID-19 in Oklahoma continue to climb. Those returning to work have valid concerns regarding the transmission of the virus between employees.

As the state begins the slow process of reopening, many are being called back to work. At the same time, new cases of COVID-19 continue to be reported each day. The changing natures of the situation has people collecting workers’ compensation benefits and those seeking to file claims rightfully concerned.

In the midst of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, essential workers are required to remain on the job. Many positions require contact with the general public, putting workers at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

Hundreds - if not thousands - of people are tragically succumbing to COVID-19-related conditions each and every day in the United States. Losing a loved one while you are prohibited to see them in the hospital only adds to the grief experienced by families in Oklahoma and throughout the U.S.

Earlier in 2020, lawmakers in Oklahoma introduced 17 pieces of legislation aimed at reforming the state’s workers’ compensation laws. In the months since, several of the bills have passed while others remain pending. Our Oklahoma City workers’ compensation attorneys detail some of the proposed changes and what they could mean for you.

Slips and falls that occur in public places can leave you suffering serious injuries. While often referred to as ‘accidents,’ they are generally caused by the reckless and negligent actions of property owners. In this situation, you are entitled to compensation for the losses you suffer.

As the wet, dreary weather of spring gives way to the dry, sunshine-y weather of summer, more and more motorcyclists are taking to Oklahoma roads. While there is nothing wrong with motorcycling, motorcycle operators and vehicle operators alike need to be aware of the very real dangers of the activity. Motorcycle Awareness Month strives to raise awareness on the matter.

With Tulsa and the entire state of Oklahoma on shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, local roads and highways have seen a dramatic decrease in traffic.

As coronavirus cases continue to climb in Oklahoma, the pandemic is having a dramatic impact on local businesses. State and federal laws have been revised to reflect the changing situation.

Marijuana reform is sweeping across the country. In Oklahoma, medical marijuana is permitted with a doctor’s referral. Despite having a valid license, your medical marijuana use may still be an issue on the job.

Chiropractic care focuses on improving your body’s alignment. It is a potentially useful therapy for workers who suffer back and neck injuries and practitioners claim it helps the body heal from a variety of ailments.

Amazon has been in the news a lot lately, especially with concerns about warehouse accidents and workers’ compensation claims. Amazon prides itself on keeping on top of its tight delivery dates, ensuring consumers get their products right away.

If your Oklahoma employer is bound to provide workers’ compensation coverage, then you are entitled to those benefits if you are injured in the course and scope of your employment. However, if you receive financial compensation from a third party in relation to this injury, then your employer also has the right to recover paid workers’ compensation benefits back.

In 2018, Oklahoma’s legislature legalized medical marijuana. Unlike other states, anyone who has a prescription from a physician can purchase and consume medical marijuana in any form. The law does not limit the use of medical marijuana to only certain conditions or certain forms, such as only allowing CBD oil.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious crime in Oklahoma. It can result in jail time, high fines, and even a driver’s license revocation. However, these laws do not only apply to driving under the influence of alcohol in the state.

When an accident occurs between two vehicles, it is natural to assume that one of the drivers is at fault. In most cases, this is true. Drivers are typically responsible for ensuring they are driving in a safe manner, and that individuals in their vehicles are also acting responsibly.

In recent years, there has been a steady push for increased automation in newly manufactured vehicles. Self-driving cars and those with advanced crash avoidance systems are flooding the market and promise to reduce motor vehicle accident rates. Insurance companies are not yet convinced.

It is every driver’s worst nightmare: You are headed down the road when you spot red lights flashing in your rearview mirror. You pull over and the officer asks you to get out of the vehicle. If you are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, the officer will likely administer field sobriety tests. If you fail these, you will be placed under arrest and charged with a DUI.

In 2016, state voters approved a measure that reduced most drug possession offenses to misdemeanors and doubled the felony threshold for property crimes. Now that Governor Kevin Stitt has signed enabling legislation, that measure goes into effect.

A Tulsa County teenager under 18, whose name was not released, is the Sooner State’s first victim of a vaping-related pulmonary illness, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A drop in the average workers’ compensation claim amount probably means lower insurance premiums as well, which makes less money available for job injury victims.

Whoever came up with that “sticks and stones may break my bones” adage had obviously never been bullied. Words hurt, and in Oklahoma, bullying may be illegal.

When motor vehicle accidents occur, it is often due to the reckless behavior of one of the drivers involved. In these cases, you may be entitled to injuries you suffer either through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Dash cams provide valuable evidence of how the crash occurred in these types of cases. They can also help improve your driving skills, preventing collisions from occurring.

Driving a car is a complex task and nothing to take lightly. Considering the sheer number of other people on the road and the speed at which most vehicles are traveling, not taking the proper precautions and engaging in reckless behaviors can put you, your passengers, and others at risk. Reckless driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents and can leave victims suffering from serious and often life threatening injuries.

Pedestrian accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence, both in Ponca City and throughout Oklahoma. With little to protect them in the event of motor vehicle accidents, the injuries pedestrians suffer have a tendency to be severe. While motor vehicle drivers are generally assumed to be at fault in these collisions, the fact is that there are actions the pedestrian may have taken which increased their risks or contributed to the crash.

Many of us lead busy lives and have hectic schedules. Having to juggle your time and multitask at home, work, or in your personal life is common. Unfortunately, this can easily leave you feeling distracted, drained, and generally out of focus. It can also make you more susceptible to accidental injuries and is particularly dangerous when behind the wheel.

The right to use marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes is one of the most hotly debated issues of our time. While many states, including Oklahoma, do permit it for certain medical uses, federal laws still categorize it as an illegal substance.

When accidents involving injuries or property damage occur in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to compensation through an insurance claim. In these situations, it is important to seek help from our experienced Ponca City injury attorneys first, before making any statements to the insurer or their representatives.

Personal injuries can be caused by a number of different factors. Motor vehicle accidents, slips, trips, or falls, and getting struck by or against objects are all common examples of accidents that result in injury. When these types of injuries do occur, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit filed against the at-fault party.

When on-the-job injuries happen, the impact on every area of your life can be severe. Even relatively minor injuries can prevent you from working while leaving you to face ongoing medical debts. In these situations, Oklahoma workers’ compensation benefits can provide financial security as you recover.

Work-related accidents and injuries can happen in any career field and on any type of job site. There are some occupations that are inherently more dangerous than others, however. In these situations, safety rules and regulations are put in place to protect employees.

Personal injuries are often incurred during events referred to as ‘accidents’. While they may have occurred unintentionally, the fact is they are often due to the reckless and negligent actions of another person.

Laws permitting the medicinal use of marijuana are sweeping the country. That said, while medical marijuana became legal in our area back in 2018, some states are still lagging behind. If you have a medical marijuana card, you may consider yourself entitled to use it in other places.

Self-driving cars have been making headlines across the nation. Originally heralded as a way to help reduce the high number of motor vehicle accidents that occur each year throughout the country, they are now the subject of controversy after a series of tragic and high-profile accidents. In a typical crash, drivers are generally liable for any injuries that result.

Construction sites are dangerous places. Hazardous materials and construction debris can put workers at risk, as can the massive equipment in operation and the variety of tasks they are required to perform.

Drunk driving is a common problem throughout Oklahoma and puts the driver and other motorists on the road at risk for potentially serious car accidents and injuries. For this reason, law enforcement officials are aggressive in apprehending offenders while prosecuting attorneys do their best to make DUI charges stick.

There are numerous scientists, researchers, and health care professionals who attest to the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant. In addition to medical marijuana, cannabis-based products have become increasingly popular.

Social Security Disability is a government program that pays monthly benefits to individuals who become disabled before they reach retirement age. The average person receives $1,234 per month in benefits, but the maximum one can receive is $2,861.

A vehicle passenger who sustains injuries in a car accident generally has an easier time recovering compensation for injuries than the drivers of involved vehicles. This is because the passenger does not have to prove fault — one of the drivers was at fault, so one of the drivers' insurance companies needs to foot the bill.

If you recently applied for Social Security Disability benefits, and if your claim was denied, you may feel hopeless and unsure of where to turn next for help. Though it may be difficult to not feel forlorn right now, remember that millions of people find themselves in the same situation each year.

The workers' compensation system is a no-fault system, meaning an employer's workers' comp insurance company must pay out a claim regardless of whether or not the employee is responsible for his or her own injuries.

Diversion programs are programs that offer first-time offenders, minor offenders, youth, and mentally unwell individuals the chance to receive treatment and/or right their wrongs outside of jail. If an offender successfully completes a diversion program, he or she may receive a reduced or deferred sentenced, or the judge may dismiss the charges entirely.

"What you say can and will be used against you…even if you said it online." That is not necessarily how the law reads, but it should. According to an attorney quoted by Forbes, social media is evidence and it is discoverable.

When an Oklahoma worker sustains in injury on the job, workers' compensation should cover the damages. This is true regardless of who is at fault for the incident, which is one way in which workers' comp claims differ from standard personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one sustained an injury because another person or party acted negligently, you may wish to recover compensation from him or her. Said compensation can be used to cover your medical expenses and costs of living while you recover and try to get back on your feet. However, while the law is generous in that it does provide the option to sue for remuneration, the judicial system is notorious for doling out justice in a painfully slow manner.

If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident in Oklahoma, you know just how devastating truck accidents can be. Truck accidents often result in severe, debilitating, and lifelong injuries, if they do not result in death.

Children are a moving vehicle's most precious cargo and a parent's most precious asset. They also happen to be vulnerable and innocent and unable to make decisions for themselves.

As a fault state, Oklahoma requires its drivers to carry a certain amount of liability insurance to cover the costs associated with injuries and other damages.

Despite the numerous touted medical benefits of medical marijuana, the drug is still illegal in any form and any amount in Oklahoma, save for in select few circumstances. If a police officer catches you with the drug, the state may charge you with misdemeanor possession.

Oklahoma, like all other states, has what are known as "implied consent" laws. Per these laws, any person who operates a vehicle in the state is considered to have given consent to a blood alcohol concentration test, or breath test, if requested of him or her.

It is no secret that distracted driving has become more than just a nuisance – it has become a downright danger. That said, most campaigns geared toward putting a stop to distracted driving show vehicle occupants and drivers as the victims.

Many workers who are between jobs are eligible for unemployment benefits, which come in the form of weekly payments that are designed to help them fund their daily living expenses until they are able to find a new job.

Unlike other driving offenses or crimes, a DUI charge will be noted on not one, not two, but three separate records. First, it will be noted on your driving record. Next, it will be noted on your arrest record.

In any Oklahoma car accident claims case, the goal is to figure out who is at fault, or who was careless. In some cases, fault is not so obvious, and it takes a thorough investigation and a lot of back and forth to determine liability. In other cases, however, fault is obvious. One such case is a rear-end collision.

If you sustain an injury at your Oklahoma place of work, you may wonder if you should file a workers' compensation claim or a personal injury claim. You may also wonder what the difference is between the two.

Because Oklahoma is an at-fault insurance state, the insurer of a party who caused a car accident is financially responsible for damages. While this is great in that it holds the liable party accountable for his or her reckless behavior, it can pose some complications for the victim.

In a no-fault accident state, individuals are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, a minimum amount of personal injury protection insurance, and a minimum amount of bodily injury coverage.

YIf you or a loved one is unable to work because of a disabling injury or condition, you may wish to find a financial assistance program so that you can pay your bills, put food on your table, and live in comfort regardless of your inability to work.

Generally speaking, you can not collect unemployment if your unemployment is the result of your own doing. "Quitting" would be considered the result of your own doing, in most cases.

You slipped and fell on the floor at work, breaking your arm. You informed your employer and filed a workers’ compensation claim. You thought everything was fine until you received a notice from your employer a month later stating that you had been laid off.

If you were injured on the job, you may assume that you are automatically entitled to workers' compensation. This is not necessarily true. While most on-the-job injuries are eligible for workers' comp, there are some—such as those caused by your own negligence, or those caused by unrelated third parties

If you were injured on the job, you may assume that you are automatically entitled to workers' compensation. This is not necessarily true. While most on-the-job injuries are eligible for workers' comp, there are some—such as those caused by your own negligence, or those caused by unrelated third parties

Medical professionals and researchers have known for some time that TBI (traumatic brain injury) affects the gastrointestinal tract. However, it is only recently that these professionals have discovered that the link between brain injury and gut damage goes both ways.

A recent study involving mice with an "experimental TBI" revealed that the injured animals experienced long-term changes in the colon over a month-long period following the injury. Interestingly, the study also found that the gastrointestinal dysfunction experienced by these mice increased "posttraumatic brain inflammation and associated tissue loss."