Almost everyone has heard of workers’ compensation. When you’re hurt or become sick as a result of your job, you are supposed to be covered for your missed work and recovery by your employer. Not only is it the right thing for them to do, it’s the law. Many workers, however, are confused as to how they should go about getting covered and to what they are entitled. Read an outline of workers’ compensation and the steps you should take if you’re hurt on the job in Oklahoma.

Hurt on the Job in Oklahoma

If you’re hurt on the job in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury, including medical bills, lost wages and the time you need to undergo rehabilitation and recovery. The laws that cover this are workers’ compensation laws.

In Oklahoma, the administration of workers’ comp is the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (OWCC). This agency, part of the Oklahoma State government, is in existence to handle all workers’ comp claims and ensure that employers and employees are in compliance with all laws, rules and regulations concerning this important coverage.

Inform Your Employer

When you’re injured on the job in Oklahoma, the first thing you should do is get immediate medical care. As soon as possible, you should inform your employer of the injury. Your employer then might help you begin the process of filing a compensation claim; there will be some forms to fill out in order to report the injury and start the process. You must inform your employer within 30 days of suffering the injury to submit a claim. However, the sooner you inform your employer, the more likely you’ll be to get complete coverage.

Your Employer’s Responsibilities

Your employer is responsible for submitting the claim forms to the proper government agency for processing, within the statute of limitations. In Oklahoma, a workers’ compensation claim must be filed within two years after the date of the injury. Your employer will provide a list of approved healthcare providers that you should choose from to seek treatment under your claim. The exceptions to this are as follows:

• If you need emergency treatment, you can go anywhere that is nearby and best-suited to treat your injuries.
• If your employer fails to provide a list of approved physicians within seven days, you may choose your own.

The Workers’ Compensation Attorney

All too often, employers and insurance agencies challenge, fight or deny some or all aspects of a workers’ compensation claim. If this happens, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get covered. It does, however, mean that you will need someone to fight for your rights. The best thing you can do for yourself any time you suffer an injury on the job is to secure the services of an expert workers’ compensation law attorney.

Workers’ comp lawyers know how to fight denials and challenges to workers’ comp claims. They can guide you through the tricky maze of filing a claim and making sure that you are aware of all your rights, and how to get full coverage for your injuries.

If you are hurt on the job in Oklahoma, don’t wait. Get treated, inform your employer and then contact us for help and more information on how to pursue your personal injury case today.