OIEC: Information for Stakeholders
OIEC's mission is to assist, educate, and advocate on behalf of the injured employees of Texas.
Statutory authority for OIEC is found in the Texas Labor Code, Chapter 404.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF INJURED EMPLOYEE COUNSEL
The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) was formally established on March 1, 2006 as a result of the adoption of House Bill (HB) 7, 79th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2005. HB 7 abolished the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission (TWCC) and established the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) as a division within the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). HB 7 also transferred TWCC's Ombudsman Program to OIEC.
OIEC was established to represent the interests and provide services to all unrepresented injured employees who request assistance. OIEC's main functions include:
- Assisting injured employees in the workers' compensation system by providing free ombudsman services in TDI's administrative dispute resolution system;
- Educating injured employees about their rights and responsibilities and improving their ability to effectively navigate through the workers' compensation system; and
- Advocating on behalf of injured employees as a class in order to protect their rights and to achieve a balanced workers' compensation system.
OIEC also refers injured employees to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, the Texas Workforce Commission, TDI, and other social or regulatory services, such as the Health and Human Services Commission or licensing boards to assist injured employees with: finding employment, training opportunities, returning to work, filing complaints with appropriate licensing boards or other regulatory agencies, obtaining financial assistance, and reporting alleged administrative violations.
Additionally, OIEC provides outreach presentations, workshops, seminars, speaking engagements, or other forums to workers' compensation system stakeholders regarding the agency, its role, and its services.
ORGANIZATION
Ombudsman Program provides free assistance to unrepresented injured employees. Ombudsmen conduct meetings with injured employees to prepare them for informal and formal administrative dispute resolution proceedings, and assist the injured employee during the proceedings.
Customer Services was created to provide a "one-stop-shop" to all unrepresented injured employees at any point in their claim when assistance is requested.
Legal Services provides Regional Staff Attorneys (RSAs) as a resource for the Ombudsmen as they fulfill their mandate to assist, educate, and advocate for injured employees. Legal Services analyzes and provides comments on rules proposed by TDI and suggests legislative recommendations that will protect the interests of injured employees. The department also determines whether there are issues pending before either the Texas appellate courts or the Supreme Court where OIEC needs to intervene to serve as a voice for the injured employees of Texas.
Administration and Operations provides technical and administrative support to the agency. Functions within this department include strategic planning and reporting, performance measure monitoring and reporting, communications and outreach initiatives including website maintenance, and training efforts.
OIEC is administratively attached to TDI, and Administration and Operations staff serve as liaisons to services provided by TDI, such as human resources, budget and purchasing, facilities, computer technology, and office supply needs.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
Current information about the legislative session as it relates to OIEC can be found on OIEC's legislative session webpage.
STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
Information about stakeholder meetings and the associated documentation is available on the agency's stakeholder meeting webpage.
CONTACT US
Injured employee toll-free number: 1-866-EZE-OIEC (1-866-393-6432).
To reach OIEC management, please call OIEC's Central Office at 512-804-4170.
For continuing information about OIEC's programs and initiatives, please join our Quarterly Newsletter distribution list by emailing OIECInbox@oiec.texas.gov.
OIEC's Central Office is located at 7551 Metro Center Drive in Austin, Texas, and there are 20 field offices strategically located around the State. OIEC staff is housed within the Central Office and each field office.
Field office locations are generally determined by DWC based upon claim activity and demand for services in a specific geographic area. A list of the field offices can be found at the following link: OIEC/TDI-DWC field offices.