News & Events
Feldman Franden Super Lawyers 2011
Lawyers from Feldman, Franden, Woodard & Farris were chosen for the 2011 “Super Lawyers.” Each candidate is evaluated and reviewed by their peers within their primary area of practice. Twelve indicators of professional achievement are used: verdicts, settlements and transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within law firm; bar …
Employment Law Jury Trial Victory
Paula Quillin won a defense verdict in the jury trial of a wrongful termination suit an employee filed against her employer. Plaintiff contended she had been wrongfully discharged because she had filed a workers’ compensation claim. Termination of employment closely followed the workers’ compensation claim, but the ruling held that the employer had actually fired …
Why You Should Consider Hiring Feldman, Franden, Woodard & Farris
High caliber and intelligent lawyers, paralegals, and staff that have practical and common sense knowledge of best litigation practices; Well respected ethical lawyers with substantial experience in high profile and large loss matters; Services performed by lowest hourly rate personnel qualified for the task when appropriate; Technology such as video conferencing used to avoid travel …
Counsel Indemnification for Client’s Medical Bills Unethical in Oklahoma
Recently, an Oklahoma advisory opinion held it was permissible for a represented party to sign a release and hold harmless agreement with language agreeing to indemnify another party for medical bills, medical liens, and government claims as part of a settlement. However, the advisory opinion held it unethical for the represented party’s counsel to also …
Resort to a Judicial Forum Is Not Bad Faith On the Part of the Insurer
Resort to a judicial forum is not per se bad faith or unfair dealing on the part of the insurer regardless of the outcome of the suit. That principle was affirmed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, answering a certified question in GEICO v. Quine, 2011 OK 88. The exact question answered was: Does an insurer’s …
Retaliatory Discharge for Pursuing a Workers Compensation Claim
Section 41 of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Statute, 85 OKLA. STAT. § 341, prohibits an employer from retaliating against an employee who files a workers’ compensation claim. The statute provides: A. No employer may discharge or, except for non-payment of premium, terminate any group health insurance of any employee because the employee has in good …
More Tort Reform: 2011 Amendments to Oklahoma’s Anti-Discrimination Act
Beginning November 1, 2011, the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act (OADA) will provide the exclusive remedy for discrimination in violation of the Act. The OADA prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, creed, age, disability, or genetic information. Formerly, Oklahoma law allowed employees who were discriminated against because of their status (race, age, gender, …
OKLAHOMA TORT REFORM UPDATE
Three different laws will go into effect November 1 and many of them will be of interest to insurance companies, defendants who face the possibility of large verdicts, and manufacturers who may be involved in products liability actions. Cap on non-economic damages. Oklahoma has capped non-economic damages at $350,000.00. This law will apply to tort …
The 15 Things You Need To Know About Oklahoma Sales Tax
1. You are required to obtain a sales tax permit and collect sales tax for the state if you sell products or goods. 2. Also if you lease or rent products you are required to obtain a sales tax permit and collect sales tax except for transactions relating to houses, land, or apartments. 3. You …
Military Parents Have Rights Too
In May of 2011 the governor of Oklahoma signed into law the Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (the “Act”) 43 O.S. § 150.1 et. al. The primary goal of the new Act is to address situations where military servicemembers lose custody of their child(ren) due to military service. The new Act grants new …