Workers' insurance in Oklahoma

Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial assistance to employees who were injured or became ill as a result of completing job-related duties. While the majority of businesses in America are required to carry workers’ comp insurance, requirement variation exists from state to state. These differences in requirements are normally about what types of businesses must carry it, the amount of compensation and rates, and any exemptions that may apply.

While variations between states exist, Oklahoma insurance rules are fairly “standard” because they are similar to workers’ compensation policies in many other states. Texas and Kansas are commonly referenced as outliers when it comes to workers’ comp law, as Texas does not require businesses to carry workers’ insurance, and Kansas uses a payroll minimum to determine which businesses must carry coverage.

With few exceptions, all Oklahoma businesses employing at least one person are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, workers’ comp is a standard requirement in most states, as it protects workers and businesses alike.

In Oklahoma, workers’ compensation insurance typically does not cover or apply to:

  • Injuries caused by pre-existing conditions
  • Accidents that occur while off of work premises and outside of scheduled working hours, such as during a lunch break
  • Injuries incurred while the employee is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Independent contractors

Types of workers’ compensation benefits under Oklahoma insurance

In Oklahoma, workers’ compensation benefits can include:

  • Medical care to cover work-related injuries or illnesses
  • Partial payments for lost wages
  • Disability compensation for temporary or permanent disability
  • Death benefits to cover funeral and burial expenses
  • Career retraining for workers who are unable to return to their prior occupations due to work-related injuries or illnesses

An employee may be eligible for more than one of the benefits outlined above. For example, depending on the type and severity of the injury, the employee could be eligible to receive both medical care and disability payments. The worker may also be eligible to receive vocational retraining if they are unable to return to their previous job due to the injury.

Disability compensation has certain rules and requirements. There are four types of disability compensation: permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, temporary total disability, and temporary partial disability. Each state has its own way of calculating how long workers’ comp lasts for an injured or ill employee. Typically, how long workers’ comp lasts depends on the type of injury or illness, the severity of the injury or illness, and whether it prevents the employee from returning to their former job.

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How to file for workers’ compensation in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, an employee must inform their employer of a work-related injury or illness within 30 days. This 30-day window is in place to ensure that the insurance claim is filed promptly. If the employee does not notify the employer of their injury within this window, it may jeopardize Oklahoma insurance workers’ comp benefit eligibility.

After the employee notifies the employer, the employer should file an accident report and a claim with the insurance company. The claims process can typically be done online or over the phone. Typically, the insurance company requests documentation from the employer to complete the claims process.

If there is an issue or dispute over how medical care is administered, the employee may initiate a separate claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. This process applies to any type of dispute, including when or if the employee wants to change medical providers/doctors. In this case, if the employee wants to change doctors, they may need to initiate a claims to gain approval from the insurance company, as the workers’ comp insurance company generally determines the network of eligible medical providers an injured worker may see.

Why CompSource Mutual

CompSource Mutual has served Oklahoma businesses – large and small – for more than eight decades. Our expertise spans hundreds of industries – so our team knows how to get you coverage that makes sense at a fair price. We’re proud to help protect Oklahoma workers because we serve the communities where we live. When you partner with us, you partner with neighbors.

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What is Workers' Comp

Discover why it’s important for businesses to obtain workers’ comp to protect workers in the case of a work-related injury or illness.

In Oklahoma, businesses must purchase workers’ compensation insurance through a private carrier. Private carriers may have differences in premium rates or types of covered events. However, a handful of states have their own state-administered plans. Some states, such as Wyoming, offer only one state plan that businesses must utilize.

Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is protection purchased by employers that provides financial assistance to employees who experience injuries on the job or become ill or injured as a result of work-related duties. Health insurance, on the other hand, can be used by anyone for health issues, including emergency room visits and doctors’ visits that are unrelated to employment. The employer pays for workers’ compensation insurance premiums, while health insurance is usually paid for by an individual.

Not necessarily. If the employee was injured due to work-related duties, then yes, this would be considered fraud. The employer has a responsibility to report work-related injuries and illnesses and to file claims on behalf of employees. However, if the injury was clearly not work-related, then it may not be fraud if the employer refuses to file a claim. Workers’ compensation fraud is more often committed by the injured worker if they fake an injury or attempt to manipulate the system in their favor. If fraud is suspected, the employer or employee should contact the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Investigation Unit of the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General.

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PAT SMITH
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

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