History of Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Law

The State Industrial Commission was in charge of the Oklahoma's workers' compensation regulation before the year 1959. Around 1939, the Governor selected three separate Commissioners to overlook the program. Every Commissioner was allowed to serve 6 year terms. This improved in the years 1939-1955 once the 5 Commissioners during that time period were required to serve a term that coincided with the Governor. Following 1955, Judges were hired to head the compensation program in place of Commissioners. Their own terms had been staggered at first before moving to six-year terms like before.

Oklahoma workers compensation

A Chairman from the Commission had been required to be selected by the Governor in line with the 1915 workers' compensation laws. This recognized position vanished after 1919 and also reappeared between 1939 and also 1959 when the State Industrial Court was made. From then on the Chairman from the Commission position ended up being changed by the presiding judge who was assigned by the Governor. This persisted right up until 1981 when the Judges of the Court could actually select new presiding judges from individuals in their membership. This simply lasted until 1986 when the Governor was yet again created the only selection as to who the particular Presiding Judge will be. Each Presiding Judge might serve a two year term. They aren't permitted to serve greater than two terms in succession.

Upon June 16, 1959 the State Industrial Court was regarded statutorily being a "Court of Record". It acquired a constitutional recognition as a court of record throughout 1967. In 1978 the State Industrial Court was exchanged by the Workers' Compensation Court which contained seven judges. During the same year, the legislation expected that the actual Governor choose the judges from names that have been presented through the Judicial Nominating Commission.

The job "Administrator" was developed through the Workers' Compensation Act around 1977. The judges from the court are usually the ones responsible for figuring out the qualifications required for the Administrator position. This Administrator is designated by the current Presiding Judge. They may be picked from a listing that is submitted by the Special Workers' Compensation Administrator Selection Committee.

Over the next fifteen years, the court ended up being expanded from six judges to ten judges from the year 1993. By 1992, the Judicial Nominating Commission submits to the Governor the titles of 3 people whenever a vacancy within the Court happens. In 1994 the court made a decision that the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court may possibly hire senior justices, judges, or active retired judges to assist with all the hefty weight of workers' compensation circumstances.
Oklahoma workers compensation