Term

Definition

occupational disease (OD)

sickness or disease arising out of or in the course of employment (state WC statutes differ as to which diseases are covered)

occupational health clinic (OHC)

medical clinic specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of occupational injury, illness, or disease

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act)

federal statute enacted in 1970 to promote workplace safety

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

federal agency in the Department of Labor created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; responsible for establishing federal standards to promote occupational safety and health; an employer's responsibilities under OSHA are not currently covered by the WC policy; states also have their own OSH agencies

occupational therapy (OT)

type of rehabilitation therapy that uses real life activities in specific areas and with specific goals, to help patients lessen or overcome physical disabilities

odd lot doctrine

in some states, a relatively minor permanent impairment may be combined with other factors to generate a permanent total disability benefits award

Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP)

agency, part of the US Department of Labor, that administers federal WC programs

officer

see corporate officer; sole proprietors, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs) do not typically have officers

offset

for WC, any type of financial recovery that reduces the ultimate cost of the claim – these recoveries include subrogation, subsequent injury fund relief, contribution from another WC payer, apportionment, or, in some cases, SSDI benefits

one-year back rule

in a situation where the claim or notice period may be waived, sometimes the benefits are limited to one year back from the date the injured worker makes the claim

ordinary disease of life

term used to distinguish a condition, like arteriosclerosis, from an occupational disease

organized labor movement

workers grouping together to negotiate their terms of employment; trade unions and collective bargaining emerged from the organized labor movement

other states insurance

Coverage in Part Three of the WC policy that pays benefits in listed states where the employer has no known WC exposure but might receive a claim

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)

extends USL&H coverage to employees on offshore drilling platforms

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Coverage Endorsement

endorsement to WC policy that covers the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

outpatient

occurring to someone not current admitted to a hospital (e.g., outpatient surgery center)

outsourcing

having work, work that could be done by employees, done by another employer