Oklahoma Workers Compensation

Introduction

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program designed to provide benefits to employees who get injured or become ill while on the job. Oklahoma workers’ compensation laws are designed to provide for employees who are injured while working. The workers’ compensation law in Oklahoma guarantees that employees are protected and compensated for work-related injuries. This article seeks to explore the Oklahoma workers’ compensation system, its benefits, and how it works.

History of Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation

Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system was established in 1915 to provide workers with benefits in exchange for giving up their right to sue their employer for workplace-related injuries or illnesses. The system was designed to ensure that injured employees received medical care and compensation without the need for litigation. The law is intended to balance the interests of employers and employees, making sure that employees are fairly compensated while protecting employers from excessive litigation and high insurance costs.

The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Reform

In 2013, new workers’ compensation laws were introduced in Oklahoma that made significant changes to the state’s workers’ compensation program. This reform package, named the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Act, completely overhauled the state’s workers’ compensation program. The new law abolished the state’s administrative court system and replaced it with a new system that transferred jurisdiction over workers’ compensation claims to the state’s district courts.

The new law also changed the way that benefits are calculated and awarded to injured workers in Oklahoma. Under the old system, the amount of compensation for injured workers was based on a formula that considered factors such as the worker’s wages and the extent of their injuries. The new law established a new schedule of benefits that provides injured workers with a set amount of compensation based on the type of injury they sustained and their level of disability.

The new workers’ compensation law also created an administrative system for resolving employer disputes. Under the old system, disputes between employers and employees were resolved through the courts. The new system gives employers the option to appeal adverse workers’ compensation rulings through an administrative system that is less expensive and time-consuming.

Benefits of Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation

The benefits of workers’ compensation in Oklahoma are meant to provide for the employee’s medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses that occur due to an injury or illness that happened while on the job. The workers’ compensation system in Oklahoma provides the following benefits for injured employees:

Medical Benefits: This is the primary benefit provided in workers’ compensation programs. Medical benefits will cover the cost of medical treatment for the employee’s injuries.

Wage Benefits: The maximum rate for such benefits is based on legal guidelines established in the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Act. Injured workers may receive up to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, based on their prior income. These benefits are not taxed.

Temporary Disability Benefits: If an injured worker is unable to work for an extended period while recovering from their injury, temporary disability benefits may be available. These benefits are designed to provide an injured employee with a portion of their average weekly wage while they are unable to work.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: If an employee suffers a permanent partial disability, they may be entitled to compensation for the reduction in their earning capacity caused by their injury.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits: If an injured worker is unable to return to work due to a permanent injury or illness, they may be eligible for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits provide injured workers with a percentage of their average weekly wage for the remainder of their life.

Death Benefits: If an employee dies as a result of a workplace injury or illness, the family of the employee is entitled to receive death benefits to compensate for lost income.

How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Oklahoma

If an employee is injured on the job, they should notify their employer of the injury as soon as possible. The employee’s employer is then responsible for notifying their workers’ compensation insurance carrier of the claim. Once the claim has been submitted, the workers’ compensation carrier will work with the injured employee to provide medical benefits and wage loss benefits.

If the claim is denied or disputed, the employee may file a formal claim with the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC). The WCC is responsible for reviewing claims and making determinations on eligibility for benefits. If the WCC upholds the claim, the employer and their workers’ compensation carrier will be required to provide benefits to the injured employee.

Conclusion

Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system provides injured workers with adequate and fair benefits for injuries that occur while on the job. The new workers’ compensation reform package introduced in 2013 has made the system more efficient and effective. Employers and employees in Oklahoma can work with confidence, knowing that there is a reliable system in place to provide for workers that have been injured on the job.

Guide to Oklahoma Workers Compensation Laws

Workers who are injured on the job may be covered by OK workers compensation laws.  Oklahoma workers compensation laws can reimburse you for medical costs and economic losses suffered after an on the job injury or occupational illness.  This guide will explain whether OK workers compensation laws apply to you and your job, and what types of illnesses and injuries qualify for compensation.  You’ll also learn what to do if you apply for benefits under Oklahoma workers compensation laws and are denied by your employer.

Who Can Get Workers Compensation?

Almost every worker in the state is eligible for compensation under OK workers compensation laws.  Part-time and full-time workers, temporary and permanent, are all covered by Oklahoma workers compensation laws.  There is no waiting period for eligibility—even if you are hurt during your first day on the job, OK workers compensation laws qualify you for compensation.

There are very few exemptions to Oklahoma workers compensation laws.  Federal employees, who are covered under a different workers compensation system, are not protected by OK workers compensation laws.  People who work at very small family businesses may also qualify for exemptions.  However, the vast majority of employers must provide workers compensation coverage for employees according to Oklahoma workers compensation laws.

What Injuries are Eligible?

If you are hurt while at work, or if you have an illness or injury that is exacerbated by your occupation, you may qualify for benefits under OK workers compensation laws.  Oklahoma workers compensation laws can compensate you not only for injuries that are directly caused by work (for instance, an injury from a manufacturing accident),  but also for occupational illnesses that stem from your job duties.  For instance, people working with toxic chemicals may be able to claim benefits under OK workers compensation laws for lung damage, even if they caused some part of the damage through their own actions.

Oklahoma workers compensation laws are no-fault, meaning that regardless of who caused the injury, it can still be eligible for compensation.  The only injuries that are not eligible for compensation under OK workers compensation laws are those that were intentionally self-inflicted or the result of being under the influence of illicit substances.

What If My Benefits Are Denied?

When you are injured or find out that you are ill, Oklahoma workers compensation laws require you to notify your employer about your injury or illness and that you require medical attention.  Your employer is then required to notify the workers compensation court.  If your benefits are denied by your employer, OK workers compensation laws allow you to file a claim and discuss your case at a hearing.

You may wish to hire an attorney to represent you at a workers compensation hearing.  An attorney will have a firm understanding of Oklahoma workers compensation laws and will often work on a contingency fee basis, only claiming a percentage of your benefits rather than charging an upfront fee.