Workers’ Compensation Oklahoma

Table of Contents

• Is Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation insurance required?
• How does Workers’ Comp work in Oklahoma?
• How much is Workers’ Comp insurance in Oklahoma?
• Who is exempt from Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation insurance?
• How NEXT helps Oklahoma small business owners

Is Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation insurance required?

Most employers in Oklahoma with full-time or part-time employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance, according to the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission.

If you don’t have workers’ comp insurance, your business could be held financially responsible for employee illness or injuries on the job. A business could also face penalties for not complying with state laws.

How does Workers’ Comp work in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance can help pay for:

• Emergency treatment
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Death benefits
• Vocational retraining

Employers must report an injured employee or get medical treatment for an injury within 30 days. The statute of limitations on Oklahoma workers’ compensation claims is two years from the date of the injury.

Business owners should also inform their insurer of injuries and file a workers’ comp claim as soon as possible. Your insurance company should be able to take care of the appropriate Oklahoma workers’ compensation forms for you. If the claim is approved, it is processed and the injured or ill employee will receive benefits.

In the case of an employee’s death from work-related injury or illness. Oklahoma workers’ compensation regulations allow qualifying dependents to collect death benefits. Typically a spouse, dependent children and non-dependent children who suffer an economic loss can collect benefits.

Death benefits are paid out in either a lump sum or weekly, up to a maximum set by the state. Funeral expenses might also be covered.

Learn more about workers’ compensation coverage.

How much is Workers’ Comp insurance in Oklahoma?

Workers’ compensation costs vary across industries. Factors that influence price include:

• The number of employees and the type of work they do
• Your total payroll
• Your insurance claims history
• The locations where you do business

The best way to determine the insurance rate for your business is to get a free instant quote from NEXT.

Who is exempt from Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation insurance?

While most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, Oklahoma does allow for a few exceptions.

Sole proprietors are not considered employees in Oklahoma, so they aren’t required to get coverage. The same is true for partners in an LLC or officers in an organization who own at least 10% of company capital or stock.

Independent contractors also don’t have to get coverage, and that includes subcontractors. However, if a subcontractor does not have workers’ comp insurance, the primary contractor could be held liable for any work-related injuries.

Oklahoma workers’ compensation laws also have an exception for small family-run businesses. If your business has five employees or less and those employees are all related by blood or marriage, then you aren’t legally required to carry coverage.

The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission also lists the following exemptions:

• Agricultural or horticultural workers employed by a company that had less than $100,000 in payroll during the previous calendar year.
• Real estate agents or brokers who are licensed and paid on  commission.
• Federal employees, including anyone in training programs with the Department of Health and Human Services who provides health or social services care.
• Volunteers who do not receive wages.
• Any person employed by a tax-exempt youth sports league.
• Commercial truck drivers.

Even if you’re not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in Oklahoma, know that it offers important benefits for medical treatment and wage replacement after a workplace injury.

How NEXT helps Oklahoma small business owners

NEXT offers an easy way to get a free workers’ compensation insurance quote, purchase coverage and instantly share a certificate of insurance in about 10 minutes.

NEXT strives to resolve every claim quickly. Learn more about our claims process and how our claims advocates will work with you after an employee injury.

Start a free instant quote with NEXT.

• What to do when an employee is injured at work
• Does a sole proprietor need Workers’ Compensation insurance?
• How to file a Workers’ Comp claim
• What is a Workers’ Compensation audit?
• How Does a Workers’ Comp Claim Affect the Employer?
• What is a monopolistic state for Workers’ Comp?
• What is a Workers’ Comp exemption?