The Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF) was created in 1943 as a second fund to provide protection to employers for liability when hiring workers with pre-existing disabilities. The MITF pays 90% of Oklahoma’s permanent total disability benefits. Between 3,000 and 3,500 Oklahomans receive benefits from MITF.
If you are an Oklahoma employee who was injured on the job, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, if you have a preexisting condition, it can be difficult to get your workers’ compensation benefits.
In this situation, you may be entitled to receive additional benefits from the MITF. You should consult with an experienced Oklahoma City worker’s comp attorney to determine your eligibility.
How the MITF Works
The purpose of establishing the MITF was to encourage business owners to hire veterans and other employees who had pre-existing injuries. The MITF protects employers when an employee with a pre-existing injury is hurt on the job.
Currently, only employees who are permanently disabled because of workplace injuries are entitled to receive MITF benefits.
If an employee is injured on the job in Oklahoma, the Workers’ Compensation Commission will determine whether to award benefits and how much to award. The percentage of disability determines the benefits an employee is entitled to receive.
When an employee who has a pre-existing condition then has a workplace injury and the combination of their pre-existing condition and the new workplace injury causes the employee to be permanently and totally disabled, MITF pays permanent total disability (PTD) benefits to the employee. These benefits are only paid for a specified period.
The MITF funds are made up of workers’ compensation premiums paid by employers and from settlements and awards paid by employers without workers’ compensation insurance.
Requirements for MITF Eligibility
Since 2019, the eligibility requirements for receiving MITF benefits are:
- The employee had a work-related injury that occurred after May 30, 2019.
- The employee was partially disabled due to a prior work-related injury before being eligible to file for MITF benefits.
- The combination of the prior on-the-job injuries has left the employee permanently and totally disabled.
There are also several rules for receiving MITF benefits. MITF benefits are only available for eight years or until the recipient reaches the age of 65.
Additionally, MITF claims must be filed within one year after the injury that leads to permanent and total disability and the employee must pay three percent of any award or settlement they receive to the MITF.
Double dipping by collecting from other state funds when the employee began their OKC truck accident claim in a different state is prohibited.
Schedule a Consultation with an Oklahoma City Workplace Injury Lawyer Today
To understand more about the Multiple Injury Trust Fund and your eligibility to receive benefits, seek the advice of an experienced Oklahoma City injury attorney.
The dedicated attorneys at Warhawk Legal have extensive experience guiding injured workers through the claims process and are ready to help you recover all the benefits you are entitled to.
Call us at (405) 397-1717 or contact us now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve.