Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 810 - Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission
Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 810 governs the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC). This Title outlines the administrative rules and procedures for the resolution of workers' compensation disputes and the overall administration of the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act (AWCA), which is found in Title 85A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
The Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission was established in 2013 and became fully operational in 2014, replacing the previous Workers' Compensation Court. Its primary responsibility is to apply the law as set out in Title 85A, with adjudicative, administrative, and regulatory functions.
Key areas covered in Title 810 include:
Chapter 1 - General Information: Provides an overview of the WCC, its purpose, functions, organization, and definitions of terms used throughout the rules. It also covers procedures for petitioning to promulgate, amend, or repeal rules, and for obtaining declaratory rulings.
Chapter 10 - Practice and Procedure: Details the rules for filing claims, initiating proceedings, discovery, hearings, appeals, and other procedural aspects of workers' compensation cases before the Commission and its Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). This includes requirements for electronic data interchange (EDI) for injury reports.
Chapter 15 - Medical Services: Addresses regulations concerning medical treatment for work-related injuries, including fee schedules, selection of physicians, changes of physician, and independent medical examinations.
Chapter 20 - Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Outlines the availability and procedures for vocational rehabilitation services for injured workers who are unable to perform their previous work due to a work-related injury.
Chapter 25 - Workers' Compensation Insurance and Self-Insurance: Covers requirements for employers to secure workers' compensation coverage, including rules for self-insured employers and group self-insurance associations, as well as third-party administrators.
Key responsibilities of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission, as reflected in Title 810 and Title 85A, include:
Adjudicating disputes: Providing a fair and timely forum for resolving disputes between injured workers, employers, and insurance carriers regarding workers' compensation claims. This includes hearing appeals from decisions of Administrative Law Judges.
Monitoring claims and benefit payments: Ensuring that injured workers receive appropriate benefits and medical care.
Processing settlements: Approving settlements of workers' compensation claims.
Ensuring employer compliance: Verifying that employers maintain the required workers' compensation insurance coverage or are properly self-insured.
Promulgating rules: Adopting and amending administrative rules necessary for the efficient administration and operation of the workers' compensation system.
Maintaining records: Keeping official records and papers related to workers' compensation claims and ensuring public access to records as authorized by law.
Providing information and assistance: Offering counseling services and information about the workers' compensation process, laws, and rules to injured workers, employers, and other stakeholders.
Where to find the full text of Title 810:
Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules (rules.ok.gov): This is the official and most up-to-date source for the Oklahoma Administrative Code.
Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission (wcc.ok.gov): The official website of the WCC often provides direct links to its administrative rules, proposed rule changes, and relevant statutes.
Legal information websites: Sites like Justia.com and Law.Cornell.edu (Legal Information Institute - LII) also host searchable versions of the Oklahoma Administrative Code, including Title 810.
It is critical for anyone involved in workers' compensation in Oklahoma (injured workers, employers, insurance adjusters, attorneys, medical providers) to be familiar with the provisions of Title 810, as these rules govern the practical application of the workers' compensation law in the state.
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