What Is Workers’ Compensation In Oklahoma
Oklahoma workers compensation can provide employees who suffer an injury at work with fixed monetary benefits and medical care without having to file a personal injury claim against their employer. Employers provide benefits without the employee proving the employer’s negligence contributed to the work injury, and employees accept less than they may have won with a personal injury claim.
Workers comp insurance does not pay for work injuries which are the result of intoxication, reckless actions or intentional actions which are meant to injure themselves or other employees. Most Oklahoma employers are required to pay for all other work injuries or occupational illnesses which occur while an employee is engaged in their normal job duties. Common injuries which may be covered include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Abrasions and burns
- Amputations of arms or legs
- Concussions
- Heart attack or strokes on the job
- Carpel Tunnel
- Diseases caused by inhalation of chemicals or other toxins
Oklahoma Workers Compensation Benefits
Work comp insurance was created to help the employee have easy access to medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation and death benefits. The following benefits are described below:
- Medical Benefits – Work comp insurance provides necessary and reasonable medical care for Oklahoma workers who are injured on the job. All medical costs are paid including: laboratory services, surgery, medications, hospital visits and physical therapy. There is no cost or time limits for medical care.
- Temporary Total Disability – Oklahoma workers who are temporarily totally disabled and are unable to work, but will at some point return to work at full capacity, are eligible to receive 70% of their weekly wage (with a limit of $473 per week) for a maximum of 156 weeks. Benefits may be extended for additional weeks with authorization from the Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation Court. The first three days of incapacity are not paid.
- Permanent Partial Disability – Oklahoma workers who suffer a permanent partial injury must be evaluated to determine the extent of the injury and the amount of compensation they can receive. Work injury compensation is 70% of the employee’s average weekly wage, but the duration of the payment is determined by a set schedule. For example: A loss of a thumb entitles a worker to 66 weeks of disability payments.
- Permanent Total Disability – Oklahoma workers who suffer an injury at work and are unable to return to any type of employment may qualify for permanent total disability payments. Work injury compensation for a total disability is 70% of the AWW for the duration of the disability.
- Vocational Rehabilitation – Oklahoma employees who sustain an injury at work and need help to return to their job or to find new employment may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation.
- Death Benefits – Oklahoma spouses of a deceased worker may be eligible for lost wage compensation of 70% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage and an additional 15% for each child up to 30% which is the maximum established by workers compensation law. Benefits may change if the spouse remarries. Funeral expenses are paid up to $10,000. Variations and requirements for death benefits can be complicated and should be evaluated by a work injury lawyer.
Do I Need an Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Attorney?
Thousands of Oklahoma workers file workers compensation claims each year and depending on the work injury, the statutes and laws can be complicated. Work injury lawyers may be a good resource to help the employee file their work compensation claim and get the benefits they deserve. Oklahoma worker’s compensation lawyers can also help the injured worker if they have become the victim of workplace discrimination or harassment.










