WASHINGTON (March. 16)—The Rubber Manufacturers Association praised passage in the Oklahoma House of Representatives of a state workers' compensation reform bill it said will help its members that have factories there.
"This bill will ensure that employees are quickly and fairly compensated for workplace injuries while also keeping costs from spiraling out of control," John Falardeau, RMA state government affairs director, said in a release. The bill, which passed the Oklahoma House 95-1 and now goes to the state Senate, would give preference to doctors who have actually treated the patient in workers' comp evaluations; allows attorneys' fees to be deducted from the difference between an actual award and an employer's settlement offer; and requires objective evidence of physical impairment for cases filed.
The RMA quoted figures stating the bill could save Oklahoma employers $100 million annually. RMA members with facilities in Oklahoma include Goodyear, Michelin North America Inc., Bridgestone/Firestone and Chicago Rawhide.