Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease Filed in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s overhaul of its workers’ compensation laws became effective Aug. 26, 2011, and almost immediately a filing was made to reduce workers’ comp insurance rates in that state.

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak says the National Council on Compensation Insurance Inc. (NCCI) filed to reduce workers’ comp rates in Oklahoma by 1.7 percent effective Jan. 1, 2012.

The commissioner says NCCI attributed the rate decrease to the passage of Oklahoma Senate Bill 878, which went into effect on Aug. 26.

Prior to its passage rates were anticipated to rise again, according to the insurance department, which will review NCCI’s request.

The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court noted that various provisions of SB 878 may have different operative dates. The Oklahoma WCC has posted an overview of the changes to the state’s workers’ compensation laws on its Web site at www.owcc.state.ok.us.