Split Court Says AWCA Doesn't Mandate Appointment of IME on Request

A divided Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals ruled that the state Administrative Workers’ Compensation Act does not mandate the appointment of an independent medical examiner any time an employer or employee requests one. Case: Duvall v. Express Employment Professionals, No. 122363, decided 03/07/2025, mandate issued 07/10/2025. Facts: Bonnie Lou Duvall suffered injuries to her left hand and wrist in April 2023 while working as a machine operator on the packaging line at Midwestern Pet Foods. Duvall initially received treatment from Dr. Jason Leinen, who said X-rays and a computed tomogr...