Despite claims by Big Labor that becoming a right-to-work state will result in lower workplace safety, recent data suggests that introducing right-to-work statutes may actually result in a lower incidence of workplace injuries. In Oklahoma, which became a right-to-work state in 2001, the rate of workplace injuries plummeted from 2000 to 2010, dropping average work-related injuries and illnesses rates by nearly 40%. Unfortunately, workplace accidents remain an important cause of injury and death in Oklahoma, despite safety requirements from federal agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you have suffered injuries in a serious on-the-job accident in Oklahoma, contact our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your options for legal recourse. Our team of skilled lawyers have extensive experience protecting the legal rights of injured workers, and can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Understanding Right-to-Work Laws
A right-to-work law is a measure prohibiting agreements between employers and labor unions that dictate the extent to which an established union can require an employee’s membership, payment of union dues, or fees as a condition of employment. While right-to-work states typically have a higher incidence of on-the-job fatalities, the dangerous occupations are concentrated in only a few industries like forestry, fishing and farming, regardless of whether the state has passed a right-to-work law. In fact, a new report identifying the deadliest jobs in the United States in 2011 named farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers at number seven, and fishers and fishing industry workers at number one.
Our Experienced Attorneys Can Help
Not only can suffering a serious workplace injury in Oklahoma result in physical harm, but it can also put a significant financial burden on the victim and his family. In many cases of Oklahoma work injuries, the worker requires extensive medical care and is unable to return to work because of his or her injuries, which can result in a devastating financial hardship. If you have been injured in a work-related accident in Oklahoma, or if you lost a loved one in such an accident, contact our qualified lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to explore your compensation options. You may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim for medical or death benefits, and you may even be eligible for additional compensation, which you can pursue by filing a lawsuit against the person or party found at-fault in the accident. Don’t wait to seek fair and timely reimbursement for your work injury; contact our Oklahoma City-based law firm today.