After two Oklahoma state lawmakers and the Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma challenged the new workers’ compensation law, the Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear attorney arguments on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court accepted the case to determine the constitutionality of the new law. If the Supreme Court had not accepted the case, then attorneys would have filed through district court, a lengthier process.
The two Oklahoma state lawmakers challenging the law are state Sen. Harry Coates and state Rep. Emily Virgin. Opponents claim that changing the court-based system to an administrative system will cut workers’ benefits and that including multiple topics in one bill is unconstitutional.
Among the proponents supporting the new law are the State Chamber of Oklahoma, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. Proponents say the new system will be more business friendly and provide necessary cuts for businesses paying too much for the current system.
If the law stands, then in 2014 employers would be able to opt out of the current system and provide equivalent benefits on their own.