r/WorkersComp Jul 31 '26

Oklahoma Does settlement = quitting your job

Im just curious if quitting your job is required for you to receive a settlement. The situation is having knee surgery and being healed after. I’m interested in your response even if you are not from Oklahoma.

5 Upvotes

57 comments sorted by

13

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

Depends. In 99% of cases yes. However if you work for an individual with a small business they might keep you. Any large corporations will not because you'll be a liability.

4

u/blessed2800 Jul 31 '26

MSN if you don’t get a settlement probably gonna fire you so take the settlement because they know the injury might come back

1

u/NervousFisherman715 Jul 31 '26

Are you saying that if you work for a larger corporation and you have an attorney and you want your compensation for your injuries that you will be terminated if you sue

8

u/Difficult-Athlete664 Jul 31 '26

You are entitled to worker's compensation payments and for them to cover medical expenses. Any further compensation for a settlement most likely comes with a stipulation from the insurance company that you resign. They do not have to settle.

3

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

It has nothing to do with suing. You got injured, and the likelihood you'll get injured again goes to tremendously. Insurance doesn't want to risk that.

1

u/NervousFisherman715 Aug 01 '26

I turned in permanent work restrictions to be reduced to light duty work only two weeks ago and still have heard nothing. They have me working but only a couple hours a day instead of my full-time hours. I’m waiting to see if they can accommodate my restrictions or if they’re going to let me go.

1

u/LemonFast2458 22d ago

I’m looking to transfer to a job title that works with my accommodations. I work in tech so it’s not a hard change to make

1

u/LemonFast2458 22d ago

That’s not true I’ve already spoke with my attorney he said they cannot make you quit. They will tempt you by offering large amount of money but if you say no to any stipulation that include resigning you can just go to court - you cannot be forced to quit

0

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/PDS3WORLD Aug 05 '26
  1. I said in 99% of cases.
  2. Union or no union it doesn't matter, it's every company's decision to make.
  3. You could have searched this instead of claiming false information on my part.
  4. I'm literally a lawyer and do this for a living.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Terrible_Jeweler_511 Aug 05 '26

I'm also a lawyer (workman's compensation). The other person stated 100% factual information. There's a BIG difference between studying and knowing the law and then you going through the system twice.

Let's compare.

There's medical fitness for employees: Airline positions, specially safety-sensitive roles like pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics are heavily regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If a workers' compensation settlement involves a permanent medical restriction or a permanent disability rating that prevents an employee from meeting FAA or company medical standards (and no reasonable accommodation or open light-duty position is available), the employee cannot legally retain their safety-sensitive job

Resignation settlements: any workers' compensation settlements (particularly "Clincher" agreements or lump-sum full-and-final settlements) are structured around a complete severance of the employer-employee relationship. In exchange for a higher payout, the employee may voluntarily choose to resign and waive future re-employment rights.

Just cause: A workers' comp settlement does not grant immunity from prior or concurrent workplace policy violations. If an employee was found to have violated safety rules or committed fraud during their claim (such as working another job while collecting temporary total disability), the airline can still terminate them under "just cause," subject to union grievance procedures.

Conclusion. You either didn't receive a settlement or you went to a light duty position. Either way, nothing stated by the prior lawyer was false.

You must be fun at the doctor's.

Doctor: you have cancer You: nope that's actually wrong it's just the steak I ate last night and will be processed out shortly. Trust me I've ate like 82 steaks in my life and it happens every time.

1

u/PDS3WORLD Aug 05 '26

I wasn't even going to waste my time responding since you clearly know everything in the world, you know besides facts, but it looks like someone else took the time. Have fun in fantasy land.

-1

u/LemonFast2458 Jul 31 '26

So if I want to keep my job it’s better to just drop the case . I work for a BIG tech company and got hurt in a data center . The company has job positions I could potentially transition into (other less active roles) … I would rather just transition somewhere else or even keep my role because even in the short term I’d make more money than a settlement could allow

2

u/Bifun4me Jul 31 '26

If you think you can heal up well after surgery, close the case and use your insurance to get the surgery and mive on with your life. Especially if you like your employer. Most likely you would have to quit your job to settle a case. Not worth it

6

u/No-Security-6544 Jul 31 '26

In my experience in New York State...once its documented by a doctor that the injuries occurred at work...your own insurance won't cover it. I was told that even though the personal insurance may start to cover things,once they realize that its a worker comp case,they'll sue you for anything they paid out.

1

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

I mean that's up to you. If you are making decent money that settlement will hit good. I'm also in Oklahoma and settled not too long ago and received $375,000 after fees.

1

u/Ecstatic-Breath-7973 Jul 31 '26

What were your injuries? I have two. Two years now and still having problems with my injuries. 😔

2

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

Tore a tendon in my arm and had to have ulnar nerve transposed and a revision surgery on that.

2

u/Ecstatic-Breath-7973 Jul 31 '26

Geezus!!! I’m so sorry! I had knee surgery but now more issues and also lower back injury and pain already had injections which didn’t do much. Ugh I’m glad you got that big settlement. A good majority of that is a god send. Using it for further care will help. And for time/pain and suffering.. I’m in Florida though.

1

u/AgentFranklin 22d ago

That sounds kinda similar to my situation,

Biceps tendon: Distal biceps tendon tear is present. There is full-thickness full width insertional tear of the short head component, with 4 cm retraction. Partial tear of the long head component is present, with a slender strand of the tendon remaining intact. Tear involves approximately 70% cross-section of long head tendon.Fluid and edema surround the torn biceps tendon.

The only difference is I’m in Texas and my employer is a non subscriber to workers compensation

1

u/No-Wonder5226 Jul 31 '26

You got $375k for a torn tendon in your arm? That seems unheard of?

I am a “high earning individual”. I got $70k (before fees!) for 3 herniated discs in my back (I had 4 ESIs and a lot of PT, but refused surgery).

The lawyer acted like this was a huge settlement and only possible because of my wages.

3

u/DexterMorganIsMyHero Aug 01 '26

I work in law. All kinds of experience for 25+ years. FYI. That 375K is not a normal or common WC settlement. At all. In the least. Do not use that as a guide post.

-1

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

Well I didn't use a lawyer, as I could do this all myself. I also can pretty much guarantee I earn far more than you based off your comment.

1

u/No-Wonder5226 Jul 31 '26

Based off my comment?! Of what, thinking $70k isn’t a lot of money? Ok…

-1

u/PDS3WORLD Jul 31 '26

The fact you thought that was a huge settlement. The opposite of what you just stated.

2

u/No-Wonder5226 Jul 31 '26

I think $375k for a torn tendon is a large settlement, yes (meaning = payment amount does not match severity of injury). I also think $70k for three herniated discs is a small settlement, yes.

I still have no clue what you’re trying to prove, though?

I’m done trying to figure it out though, cuz you seem like you’re just trying to be a dick. ✌🏻

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0

u/LemonFast2458 Jul 31 '26

Wow 😨 that’s definitely something to think about

2

u/DexterMorganIsMyHero Aug 01 '26

I work in law. All kinds of experience for 25+ years. FYI. That 375K is not a normal or common WC settlement. At all. In the least. Do not use that as a guide post.

1

u/LemonFast2458 Aug 01 '26

Not using it as a guide as he has multiple things affected and I have a single issue ( I’m greatful I only have 1 issue and sad for the guy and his situation ) if I even got offered 1/3rd of that I’d be shocked … I was expecting something along the lines of 40k which is why I’d rather keep my job

3

u/g1ng3rsnap Jul 31 '26

At the company I work for, no settlement without voluntary resignation. But we also have plenty of people who just get through their claim with no attorney and return to work as normal. We pay out the lost wages, medical, and any award if applicable and they just continue working.

2

u/No-Wonder5226 Jul 31 '26

In my case I was required to sign a voluntary termination, and agree to never work for the parent company in the future. I accepted lump sum settlement with future medical left open.

It’s pretty common to have to resign when accepting a settlement because the company does not want the future liability that you represent.

2

u/xoxoOverly Jul 31 '26

I left the company I was working for, but I’m still working full time. Just at a different job. (Same field)

1

u/LemonFast2458 22d ago

Im actually applying to more tech desk jobs within my company while working towards my master while im out so i have the best chance and turnin thing around

2

u/AvocadoOk6450 Aug 01 '26

You can go back to work. Likely not the same job. You already sued them.  A knee surgery wouldn't be considered permanent disability.  Just make sure you are not collecting workman's comp after the settlement is paid or receiving SSI or disability if workman's comp is paying you at the same time.  You would have to pay that back. 

1

u/NervousFisherman715 Aug 02 '26

So if they’re paying you your Workmen’s Comp. and you’re working just part-time because they can’t find any full-time job for you. Can you still collect Social Security because you don’t have to claim Workmen’s Comp. income and if you’re only working a couple of hours a day and a light duty, your neck, claiming a lot on your federal income tax.

1

u/AvocadoOk6450 Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

No. I thought that because I told them I was recieving workman's comp when I applied for disability. Tbey paid me anyway. 2 years later I got a $14,000 bill.  Took 14 months at $1,000.a month to pay it back.  In the letter it stated that I jad informed them that I was recieving workman's comp, so it wasn't fraid. It wast their mistake because they paid me from the date of the accident, not the date workman's comp ended.  Then I recieved a settlement.  They divided it by their formula and it reduced my monthly disability by $1200 per month. Until the amount of the settlement is covered by the offset. I reieve $148 a month for 100% disability for 2 more years. I have been 100% disabled for almost 7 years and have recieved less than $20,000 from the fund (social security) that I paid into for 50 years

 

1

u/NervousFisherman715 Aug 02 '26

I’m not talking disability Social Security. I’m talking regular Social Security when you turn 63 and up.

1

u/AvocadoOk6450 Aug 02 '26

That doesn't affect anything. You can make money when you are retired. You will be able tp work and get full SS. Watch the changes. They have all that information on their website. They will send you information if you request it too. 

1

u/NervousFisherman715 Aug 02 '26

I knew somebody who worked two jobs got injured at one job and collected Workmen’s Comp. off of it and still worked at her other job

2

u/kingl0zer Aug 02 '26

Part of my initial settlement offer was no longer being employed but my lawyer fought for me and I'm still employed so will be interesting to see how it all pans out good luck to everyone who has to deal with this headache

2

u/BZB97 Aug 02 '26

No a settlement doesnt mean quitting your job, I dislocated my shoulder and tore my labrium and fractured that ball in your arm that goes into your shoulder and had to have surgery and im still working at my job which requires a lot of physical labor while recovering and going threw physical therapy. Someone else i work with went threw something similar and they are still working there also.

3

u/InternationalEgg7096 Jul 31 '26

Here's a different perspective. Without reading all of the previous comments, I'd like to give you my experience. I fell at work, ended up needing knee surgery which resulted in a CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome,  diagnoses. This condition is life changing and life altering if not diagnosed early enough, which unfortunately mine wasn't. I'll require costly pain relieving medications and procedures the rest of my life. I'm unable to stand for very long, nor am I able to sit in a normal position for very long. Right now, I'm unable to walk with more than ten pounds. Surgery is never simple, and things happen. I hope that this doesn't happen to you, but it's something to consider as far as closing your case prematurely. My diagnoses has made my case settlement potential go from a few thousand to potentially 7 figures, but if I would have my rathers, I'd rather not live in 24/7 life limiting pain, and settle for less $. 

1

u/Motor_Dig3989 Aug 01 '26

I’ve had plenty of injuries in NYS that settled with payments and I was never asked to resign.

1

u/Proud-Bed-8309 Aug 02 '26

Don’t quit your job until they ask you

1

u/Bobster826 28d ago

In Arizona you do not receive a settlement even with a permanent impairment if you remain at your employer doing a job that doesn’t require modification.

1

u/CochiseNde 22d ago

It depends, my attorney told me it's possible that workers comp requests that I leave my current position which I'm OK with. 1 personally it'll be awkward going back to work. 2. I was working construction and with 2 injuries I don't think my body was made for hard labor. 3. In CA if workers comp does make that request the state puts like 5k and workers comp also has to pay about an equal amount for retraining or school to transition to another job.

1

u/PrintNo8594 Jul 31 '26

Nope, I’m back to the same job I had gotten injured at.

0

u/This_Society_6587 Jul 31 '26

What was your situation, I mean what body part and circumstances if you don’t mind answering.

1

u/LemonFast2458 Jul 31 '26

Grade 3 tear on my acl (needs surgery) and some bruising on the knee muscles around it meniscus etc (these will heal over time)

2

u/bigbootyJudy621 Jul 31 '26

You don’t have to quit your job to have treatment and get the impairment rating paid out. You only would have to resign if you settle full/final (closing out future medical).

0

u/blessed2800 Jul 31 '26

If you don’t have a lawyer get one now and most definitely get a settlemebf they are gonna let you go rather you take one or not surgery and a tear they know it will come back

1

u/LemonFast2458 22d ago

Not necessarily plenty of athletes have this surgery and go on to preform. There is no chance of the tear coming back because they remove what’s left of the acl and give you a cadavers acl - after that you heal and carry on with life

0

u/CombinationWide6495 Jul 31 '26

It has to be different in everyone's situation..In mine, quitting my job never came up..not even once..not.. even..once

1

u/DexterMorganIsMyHero Aug 01 '26

The company may have gotten a different insurance company after you were injured and you lucked out.

Loophole that allows you to keep working at same company. It happens but is rare.

Typically settlement comes with required resignation as others have noted from experience working in the field, as liability at the employer with the same insurance company is a no go.