House Panel Approves Changes to Workers' Comp

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY - A bill to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system has cleared a House committee.

The Senate bill approved Wednesday by the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee would reduce the number of judges on the Workers' Compensation Court and limit them to one term. It also requires Senate confirmation for new judges.

Other changes made by the bill include the creation of a new position of medical director of the court to oversee the medical care of people making claims. It also redefines the term "objective medical evidence" to state that complaints of pain cannot be considered when determining an injured worker's impairment.

The changes are among the top priorities of the GOP-controlled Legislature.