Do You Still Receive Workers’ Comp If You Quit Your Job?

Posted on 05/19/26

in Workers' Compensation

Workers’ compensation is an important safety net for Oklahoma employees, covering their medical care and physical therapy costs for workplace injuries and providing 70% of their standard income for temporary or permanent total disability, or temporary or permanent partial disability.

During your injury treatment and recovery period, questions may arise regarding your benefits and employment status. What happens if you quit your job or accept another position? Do you lose your benefits if you quit your job? An OKC workers’ compensation attorney can answer these and other important questions about your workers’ compensation claim.

How Does Your Employment Status Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Workers’ compensation safeguards employees from injury-related financial hardship while also protecting employers against lawsuits filed by injured employees. In Oklahoma, almost all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, and this crucial coverage protects all employees except independent contractors.

While you’re recovering from a work-related injury, circumstances can change: you may decide on a different career path, receive a new job offer, or choose not to return to work at all. However, before you quit your job, it’s essential to know how employment status impacts your workers’ compensation benefits. For instance, if you quit your job, you are still eligible for the portion of workers’ compensation that covers your injury-related medical care, but you will likely lose the compensation for lost income.

Quitting Your Job Affects Your Wage-Loss Workers’ Compensation Benefits In Oklahoma

Wage-loss benefits replace the income you lose while receiving medical treatment and taking time off to recover. If you terminate your employment, under Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission guidelines, the workers’ compensation insurer may stop your wage-replacement benefits. Depending on the circumstances of the case, workers’ compensation for wage loss may be paid in a lump-sum settlement after the fact. If you resign from your position during your recovery period, the workers’ comp insurance will only pay for your lost income up until the date of your official resignation.

Regardless of your employment status, if your injury occurred at work or while completing work-related tasks, workers’ compensation will continue to cover your medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy costs until you’ve reached your maximum medical improvement.

What If I Decide to Quit My Job While I’m Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

If you decide to quit your job while you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, it’s important to consult with your Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorney. In most cases, an attorney will advise the following:

  • Do not resign from your position until your doctor determines you have reached the maximum medical improvement for your injury, in which case, your wage-loss benefits would cease anyway, or
  • Do not quit your job unless you have another job offer for more money than you’d make at your previous job, and you are physically able to do the job despite your injury, or
  • Line up another position for after your recovery, but do not officially resign from your first job until after you’ve reached maximum medical improvement and you’ve exhausted your workers’ compensation benefits

If you resign from your job before filing a workers’ compensation claim, you will not be eligible for benefits.

Speak to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Before Quitting Your Job

If you’ve received another job offer or wish to quit your job while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced OKC workers’ compensation attorney about your rights and obligations to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available to you.