If you were injured on the job in Oklahoma, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover the costs of medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. You might wonder how to file a workers’ comp claim in Oklahoma. Filing a workers’ comp claim can be confusing and time-consuming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here, the attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons explain how to file a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma.
Requirements for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Oklahoma
To claim workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job accident, the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission explains that a covered employee must:
- Give notice – Injured employees must give their employer “prompt” notice that they’ve suffered an injury or work-related illness. This generally requires notifying the employer within 30 days of the injury. Though the reporting deadline can be longer under certain circumstances, injuries should be reported immediately, preferably in writing.
- Follow medical advice – Injured workers must attend all medical appointments related to the workers’ compensation claim or give sufficient notice if they cannot attend. Also, they must follow the treating physician’s orders.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
To file a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma, you should take the following steps:
- Give your employer notice. Disclose your injury or illness to your employer, explain how it happened and why you believe it is work-related, and create a written record for yourself and your attorney.
- File your claim. File the appropriate claim with the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission within one year of the injury date.
- Seek medical attention. According to the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court of Existing Claims, an employer may choose an employee’s treating physician. However, if an employer fails to provide medical treatment within seven days of the employee’s injury, the employee may select their treating physician at the employer’s expense. Your treating physician evaluates your injury or illness, gives you treatment recommendations, and advises you on whether you can continue to work.
- Continue treatment. Continue seeing your treating physician until they determine you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means further treatment will not improve your condition. At this point, the doctor can help you decide whether you can return to work.
- Keep records. Maintain records of all medical diagnoses and the treatment you receive.
If your injury or illness prevents you from working for more than seven calendar days, you may be eligible for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. If you qualify for TTD, you will receive weekly payments of 70 percent of your weekly wages (subject to a statewide cap) for a maximum of 104 weeks. In some cases, you may be eligible for an additional 52 weeks of TTD benefits if you have a significant injury.
Talk to Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Oklahoma City, OK
If you suffered an injury or illness on the job in Oklahoma, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The dedicated team at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons has recovered nearly $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our deserving clients. Contact us today for a free consultation with our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Oklahoma City, OK.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
