Second-Injury Fund Rescue Restricts Future Benefits to Pay Current Claims

A massive rewrite of the Oklahoma workers' compensation system now on the governor's desk would improve temporary benefits for most workers injured on the job — benefits that were slashed in the 2013 push to reduce costs. But for workers with second or third injuries, House Bill 2367 swings the other way. The measure would restrict benefits and cut the duration of installment payments in half in an effort to salvage the nearly insolvent Multiple Injury Trust Fund. “They're essentially taking from future claims to pay for current claims,” said Michael Clingma...