[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/what-to-know-about-the-oklahoma-multiple-injury-trust-fund-mitf\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/what-to-know-about-the-oklahoma-multiple-injury-trust-fund-mitf\/","headline":"What to Know About the Oklahoma Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF)","name":"What to Know About the Oklahoma Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF)","description":"If you were injured on the job as an Oklahoma employee, you may be entitled to benefits\u00a0through Oklahoma\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation system. However, obtaining the benefits you deserve can be difficult if you have a pre-existing condition. Oklahoma\u2019s Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF) was designed to support employees who suffer multiple...","datePublished":"2022-01-11","dateModified":"2022-01-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/#Person","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","width":96,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Untitled-design.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Untitled-design.png","height":628,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/what-to-know-about-the-oklahoma-multiple-injury-trust-fund-mitf\/","about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":558,"keywords":["benefits","work injury"],"articleBody":"If you were injured on the job as an Oklahoma employee, you may be entitled to benefits\u00a0through Oklahoma\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation system. However, obtaining the benefits you deserve can be difficult if you have a pre-existing condition.Oklahoma\u2019s Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF) was designed to support employees who suffer multiple occupational injuries\u00a0that leave them permanently and totally disabled. Read on to learn more about the MITF and whether you could be eligible for additional benefits after a workplace injury.What Is the Multiple Injury Trust Fund?Oklahoma established the Multiple Injury Trust Fund in 1943, then known as the Special Indemnity Fund. Many other states created similar funds during the 1940s when injured veterans began returning home from World War II and re-entering the job market.The main purpose of the MITF and other state funds was to encourage business owners to hire veterans and other employees with pre-existing injuries or conditions. To do so, the MITF protects employers from liability when workers with pre-existing conditions sustain on-the-job injuries. Today, the MITF only pays benefits to employees who are permanently and totally disabled due to one or more on-the-job injuries.When an employee is injured on the job, the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) determines how much to award in benefits. These benefits are calculated based on the employee\u2019s percentage of disability (example: 25% disability to the back). In some cases, workers with pre-existing conditions suffer work-related injuries that result in permanent and total disability due to the combination of the worker\u2019s prior on-the-job injuries.\u00a0When this occurs, the MITF steps in and pays permanent total disability benefits (PTD) for a specified period of time.\u00a0The MITF currently operates as a distinct agency. Most MITF funds come from workers\u2019 compensation insurance premiums paid by employers and from awards paid by employers without insurance. Roughly 3,000 to 3,500 Oklahoma residents obtain benefits from the MITF.Who Is Eligible to Receive Funds?In May 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt passed House Bill 2367 to replenish dwindling funds for the MITF and impose stricter eligibility requirements on those who file claims for MITF funds. Under the new law, a worker is eligible for funds if:They suffer a work-related injury that occurs after May 30, 2019.They were\u00a0partially disabled from previous work-related injuries before they were eligible to file a MITF claim.\u00a0The combination of the prior on-the-job injuries leaves the employee permanently and totally disabled.In addition to the above requirements:MITF benefits are only available for eight years or until the recipient reaches 65 years of age, whichever period is longer.The time limit for filing MITF claims has been reduced from two years to one year.Injured workers must contribute three percent of any settlements or awards they receive to the MITF.Injured workers cannot collect \u201cdouble\u201d benefits from other state funds if they began their injury claims in a different state.\u00a0Contact an Oklahoma Workers\u2019 Compensation LawyerAt Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, our Oklahoma workers\u2019 compensation attorneys have decades of experience helping injured employees obtain the benefits they deserve after suffering on-the-job injuries or being diagnosed with an occupational disease. If you sustain a work injury and have a pre-existing condition, we can help you determine whether you are entitled to MITF benefits.\u00a0Call or contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced workers\u2019 compensation lawyer.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What to Know About the Oklahoma Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF)","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/what-to-know-about-the-oklahoma-multiple-injury-trust-fund-mitf\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]