In Oklahoma, the mandatory workers’ compensation coverage requirements for agricultural employers are governed by a specific statutory payroll threshold.

Under Title 85A of the Oklahoma Statutes, agricultural employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage if they have an annual payroll exceeding $100,000.

Key details regarding these limits and coverage include:

  • Calculation of Payroll: The $100,000 threshold includes wages paid to all agricultural workers, including both full-time and part-time/seasonal employees.
  • Voluntary Coverage: Employers who fall below the $100,000 annual payroll limit are not mandated to carry coverage but may choose to do so voluntarily.
  • Consequences of Non-Coverage: Agricultural employers who operate below the threshold and do not purchase voluntary coverage lose tort immunity, meaning they could face negligence lawsuits from injured workers without statutory damage caps.
  • Exemptions: Certain individuals, such as the employer’s family members (spouses, children, and parents), may be excluded from mandatory coverage requirements under specific provisions.

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