Latest Oklahoma Headlines

All the headlines from our Oklahoma Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Bill to Cap Civil Damages Passed by Oklahoma Legislature

Apr 6 2011 // A Republican-sponsored proposal to cap damages for pain and suffering in civil lawsuits to $350,000 headed to the governor’s desk after the Oklahoma Senate approved it on April 4 in a vote mostly along party...

Oregon Supreme Court: Negligence Claim OK, Despite Contract

Apr 4 2011 // The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that a claim for property damage arising from construction defects may lie in tort, in addition to contract. According to court documents in Abraham v. T. Henry Construction Inc., Richard...

Lawsuit Reform Measures Advance in Oklahoma House, Senate

Apr 4 2011 // Legislation in Oklahoma aimed at eliminating joint and several liability, requiring that juries be provided with information on the tax impact of potential awards, and capping noneconomic damages in lawsuits have advanced...

Oklahoma Governor Defends Support for Health Insurance Exchange

Mar 30 2011 // Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin defended her efforts to create a health insurance exchange for uninsured Oklahoma residents, explaining if the state does not have an exchange in place by 2013 the federal government will step in...

Lawsuit Reform Measures Advance in Oklahoma House, Senate

Mar 24 2011 // Oklahoma state lawmakers seem to be serious about reforming the state’s tort environment. Legislation aimed at eliminating joint and several liability, requiring that juries be provided with information on the tax...

Oklahoma’s Worth Ave. Group Expands Coverage for Electronic Devices

Mar 23 2011 // Electronic device insurance provider, Stillwater, Okla.-based Worth Ave. Group, has expanded its comprehensive insurance coverage for electronic devices to include e-readers, gaming consoles and digital cameras. Worth Ave....

Oklahoma House Passes Cap on Non-Economic Damages

Mar 18 2011 // Injured Oklahomans would receive no more than $350,000 for so-called pain and suffering under legislation passed by the Oklahoma House. House members approved the cap on non-economic damages by a vote of 57-40 on Mar....

Oklahoma Senate Approves Ban on Texting While Driving

Mar 17 2011 // The full Senate has given its support to a bill that would make it illegal to text while driving. State Sen. Jerry Ellis is the author of Senate Bill 146 which was approved on a vote of 32 to 9. “This isn’t a...

Oregon Supreme Court: Negligence Claim OK, Despite Contract

Mar 16 2011 // The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that a claim for property damage arising from construction defects may lie in tort, in addition to contract, even when the homeowner and builder are in a contractual...

Oklahoma Bill Would Expand Political Appointments

Mar 16 2011 // Nearly all statewide elected officials, including insurance commissioner, could become political appointees under a bill narrowly approved by the Oklahoma Senate over the objections of members who complained the plan could...

Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants Study of Possible Dual Workers’ Comp Systems

Mar 16 2011 // Oklahoma State Rep. Joe Dorman wants to study an idea brought to him by a constituent that the lawmaker said could lead to significant workers’ compensation reform and help boost business growth and economic...

Business Lobby Critical of GOP Immigration Measure in Oklahoma

Mar 14 2011 // A quiet campaign by Oklahoma’s business community to head off tough new immigration legislation is causing an angry rift among Republicans in the Legislature, some of whom charge that voters’ desire for more...

Workers’ Comp Reform Package Approved by Full Oklahoma Senate

Mar 14 2011 // The full Oklahoma Senate has approved Senate Bill 878, a workers’ compensation bill authored by Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, and Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, the Senate announced. The bill was crafted in...

Tort Reform – How Far to Go?

Mar 7 2011 // States as far flung as Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Wisconsin are considering, or have enacted, tort reform measures aimed at reducing the number of meritless lawsuits filed and lowering the cost of malpractice insurance....

Bill Banning Texting While Driving Advances in Oklahoma

Mar 7 2011 // Under legislation approved by a House committee, beginner drivers could face hefty fines and possibly lose their driving privileges if caught texting while driving. Rep. Danny Morgan’s measure, House Bill 1316, will...

Tort Reform – How Far to Go?

Mar 7 2011 // States as far flung as Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Wisconsin are considering, or have enacted, tort reform measures aimed at reducing the number of meritless lawsuits filed and lowering the cost of malpractice insurance....

Oklahoma Senate Approves Cap for Non-Economic Damages in Lawsuits

Mar 7 2011 // The Oklahoma Senate passed a lawsuit reform measure that would put a hard cap on non-economic damages — or pain and suffering awards — in lawsuits at $250,000. Supporters said the bill will help end Oklahoma’s...

Oklahoma House Committee Approves Texting Ban

Mar 4 2011 // Texting would be banned in school zones and for motorists under the age of 18 under legislation approved by an Oklahoma House committee. The measure by Rep. Danny Morgan of Prague was approved 9-7 by the House Public...

Oklahoma House Bill Would Cap Noneconomic Damages at $300K

Mar 2 2011 // House Bill 2128 has cleared the Oklahoma House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. The measure would include a cap of $300,000 for noneconomic damages in all civil actions and repeals the inactive indemnity fund. It...

Idaho Bill Says Driving & Texting OK, As Long As Driver Isn’t Distracted

Mar 1 2011 // An Idaho House representative has proposed a bill to allow people to text and drive — as long as they’re not distracted. House Bill 141, proposed by Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, says no person operating a...