The Workers’ Compensation Section has enjoyed a very busy and exciting year. During the Christmas season in 2006, the section was able to gather together at McNellie’s in Tulsa to celebrate the Christmas season. The event was attended by nearly 50 people associated with the Workers’ Compensation Section and it was an enjoyable experience for all individuals. The section board believes that its primary function is to serve two purposes. One is the education of its members so that members are able to obtain all of the educational requirements necessary to meet the CLE requirements of the OBA. Additionally, we want to foster an environment where members can continue to discuss important issues affecting each of the individuals. The section board also believes it needs to foster a community atmosphere at the Workers’ Compensation Court. Although the nature of litigation is to create an adversarial system, the section board believes that one of its primary missions is to make certain that the adversarial setting in the courtroom does not carry over into the general community of the Workers’ Compensation Section. The Christmas party is one of our annual events which helps gather attorneys who represent both injured workers and employers together.

In the early part of 2007, the section put on its annual spring seminar. The seminar allows the section an opportunity to provide educational opportunities for all individuals associated with the Workers’ Compensation Section. Some presentations focus more on some of the general developments in workers’ compensation and more of the basic workers’ compensation principals for beginners. Additionally, more specific discussions are held on issues that continue to develop in the workers’ compensation setting. Presentations were made, including updates on advances in case law, as well as legislative updates. Further, Medicare set-aside accounts, subrogation, bad faith and recent legislative amendments were hot topics at the seminar.

During the summer of 2007, the section put on its annual golf tournament. This year, the golf tournament was held at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City. The tournament was attended by 80 players and 10 to 20 others who came to enjoy the festivities. Again, the event is designed to promote and foster a community atmosphere among all parties to the Workers’ Compensation Section. It is also an opportunity to provide the section’s members a chance to relax and step away from the daily grind of the legal practice.

Most recently, the section put on a seminar and tailgate party prior to the University of Oklahoma’s football game against the University of Tulsa. This was held at the law office of Mr. Bryce Hill. Mr. Hill’s offices include a recently renovated theater which provided the perfect atmosphere near the University of Tulsa campus for an afternoon of learning, followed by social enjoyment. Thanks to the hard work of several individuals, including Mr. Hill, the event was extremely successful.

Currently, this section is already planning the annual Christmas party and the spring seminar. We look forward to another fruitful year.

Travis A. Fulkerson
Chairperson