The Oklahoma House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee is considering a major overhaul of that state’s workers’ compensation system.
State Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, a committee member who previously authored a major reform bill on the topic, said the state could significantly improve employee benefits and lower business expenses, making it more attractive to new industry. McCullough believes Oklahoma’s “current workers’ compensation system seems to fail all parties involved except lawyers,” according to a report released by the House of Representatives. He noted that attorney involvement is 50 percent higher in Oklahoma’s workers’ comp system than the national average.
McCullough plans to file legislation that he says would drive down workers’ comp costs while improving worker benefits – a plan that is the product of months of collaboration with a working group of industry professionals and The State Chamber.
The legislation would create a three-member Workers’ Compensation Commission, appointed by the governor, to replace the current Workers’ Compensation Court. The proposal would move all workers’ compensation claims, issues and hearings to an administrative process. In addition, claims would be heard locally so as not to burden the employer or employee who currently must travel to Oklahoma City or Tulsa, no matter where the claim originated.
Under the proposed reforms, administrative law judges would determine compensability, while all medical matters would be determined through an independent process whereby independent physicians make the medical and rating determination instead of judges.
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