1. (a) The Commission shall maintain a workers' compensation counselor program to assist injured employees, employers and persons claiming death benefits under the AWCA. The program shall be administered by the Counselor Division of the Commission.

2. (b) A Division counselor shall:

   1. (1) meet with or otherwise provide information to injured employees;
   2. (2) investigate complaints;
   3. (3) communicate with employers, insurance carriers, individual own risk employers, group self-insurance associations, and health care providers on behalf of injured employees;
   4. (4) provide informational seminars and workshops on workers' compensation for medical providers, insurance adjusters, and employee and employer groups; and
   5. (5) develop informational materials for employees, employers and medical providers.
3. (c) Notice of the availability of the services of the counselor program and of the availability of mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to assist injured workers shall be mailed to the injured worker within ten (10) days of the filing of the applicable Employer's First Notice of Injury or FROI as provided in 810:10-1-4(a). Information about the counselor program and the availability of alternative dispute resolution also shall be made part of the Commission's training materials for self-insurers and claims representatives handling Oklahoma workers' compensation claims.

Added at 31 Ok Reg 468, eff 2-4-14 (emergency)

Added at 32 Ok Reg 1461, eff 8-27-15

Amended at 34 Ok Reg 2207, eff 9-11-17

Amended at 35 Ok Reg 237, eff 11-17-17 (emergency)

Amended at 35 Ok Reg 2303, eff 9-14-18