Court Opinion

ID: 9623601
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 06:37:30.128471+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:05:31.749564
License: Public Domain

BUETTNER, Judge,
specially concurring:
I concur solely on the basis of Wise v. Wollery, 904 P.2d 151 (Okla.App.1995). However, the clear legislative intent of 85 O.S.1991 § 44 is thwarted by not applying § 44 when the employee seeks recovery of workers’ compensation benefits from the employer and also makes a claim under uninsured motorist insurance purchased by the employer. In this case, the employee elected to proceed against the employer’s insurance carrier standing in the shoes of the tortfea-sor. Section 44 clearly states that the employer is only required to contribute the deficiency between the amount collected and the compensation provided by the Workers’ Compensation Act.