SECTION 240:10-11-23. Telephone hearings

(a)   Telephone hearings will be set at the discretion of the Director or his/her designee. If a party is dissatisfied with the telephone hearing option, the party may request the Director or designee to assign the case for an in-person hearing.

(b)   A request for an in-person hearing must be made five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of the telephone hearing. The request must be in writing and include the employer's name, and an explanation of the reasons for the request.

(c)   Requests for in-person hearings will be considered based upon the following:

(1)   Good cause shown, such as hearing impairment or language interpretation difficulties.

(2)   Geographic location of the parties.

(3)   Complexity of the issues.

If the director or designee agrees that the request is reasonable, the case will be rescheduled as an in-person hearing.

(d)   Each party to a telephone hearing must exchange all documents that will be introduced as evidence with the opposing party and send a copy to the Assessment Board, at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of the telephone hearing.

(e)   Parties must register prior to the scheduled time of the hearing. Registration may be completed on-line or by telephone. Third party administrators are required to register on-line and will not be allowed to register by telephone.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 1496, eff 5-11-98; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1239, eff 9-12-14]