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Injured Employee Featured In Workers' Comp Investigation Settles Her Case : NPR 12/16/18, 11:45 AM <br />An injured worker featured in an NPRJProPublica investigation of the opt -out <br />alternative to workers' compensation has settled with the company that denied her <br />medical care and wage -replacement payments after an incident at work. <br />Rachel Jenkins, 33, was injured last March while protecting a mentally disabled man <br />who was attacked by another client at an Oklahoma City shelter operated by ResCare, <br />which claims to be the nation's largest provider of services to people with disabilities. <br />ResCare had opted out of state -regulated workers' compensation in Oklahoma by <br />developing its own workplace injury plan. The company initially denied Jenkins any <br />benefits for her painful and persistent shoulder injury because she had missed a 24- <br />hour reporting deadline by just three hours. Jenkins said she reported late because she <br />had been heavily medicated after emergency treatment. <br />The 24-hour reporting rule is one of the most contentious elements of opt -out plans in <br />Oklahoma and Texas. Critics say the rule gives employers the ability to deny benefits <br />it legitimate workplace injuries that they would otherwise have to provide if they <br />hadn't opted out of workers' camp. <br />Article continues below <br />Sign Up For The NPR Daily Newsletter <br />Catch up on the latest headlines and unique NPR stories, sent every weekday. <br />What's your email? SUBSCRIBE <br />By subscribing, you agree to NPR's terms of use and privacy policy. <br />Mkins and other workers in Oklahoma sued their employers and state regulators <br />https://www.npr.org/20l6/04/l4/474215041/injured-employee-featured-in-workers-comp-investigation-settles-her-case Page 2 of 12 <br />