Opinion ID: 1436440
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whitson's Claims of Negligence and Fraud

Text: Whitson claims that he has causes of action in negligence and for fraud. We disagree. Title 85 O.S. 1991 § 12 provides that the liability created by the Workers' Compensation Act shall be exclusive and in place of all other liability of the employer and any of his employees. Whitson, therefore, has no right to claim damages for negligence here. Harter Concrete Products, Inc. v. Harris, 592 P.2d 526 (Okla. 1979). Whitson's fraud claim must also fail. In order to establish a cause of action for fraud one must plead and prove: (1) a material false representation, (2) made with knowledge of its falsity, or recklessly made without knowledge of its truth, and as a positive assertion, (3) with the intention that it be relied upon by another, (4) reliance thereon by another party to its injury, and (5) that all elements be proven with a reasonable degree of certainty. Austin v. Cockings, 871 P.2d 33, 35 (Okla. 1994). Clearly, Spears did not intend for Whitson to rely on his statements to OFU's workers' compensation insurer, and Whitson did not rely on them. Thus, Whitson failed to state a cause of action for fraud.