Officials, Lawmakers Eye Switch to Administrative Comp System

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefOklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello believes it's time for Oklahoma to scrap its court-based workers' compensation system and adopt an administrative system – and he says neighboring Arkansas provides a model that the Sooner State can follow. The idea also is getting attention from Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb (R), who says the current system is too costly, impedes economic development and forces employers and injured employees to fight rather than focus on getting workers back on the job.Ten Republican state senators agree that the administrative sy...