What's The History Behind Workers Compensation?

​Having workers’ compensation insurance is essential if you have employees because it gives your workers benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries. Workers’ compensation is integral to the labor force, but have you ever wondered where it started? 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your work-related injury, it is essential for you to understand how workers' compensation functions. Read on to learn more.

What is Workers’ Compensation?
Also known as workman’s compensation insurance, a worker’s comp benefits employees and their families for work-related injuries or illnesses. Regardless of what you call it, workers comp insurance helps cover your employees’:

• Work-related medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Funeral expenses
• Ongoing care costs

The Three Laws In The Early Industrial Revolution
The development of English common law during the Renaissance led to the three critical principles determining compensable injuries. These are known as the “unholy trinity of defenses.”

1. Contributory Negligence 
   The doctrine of contributory negligence states that if you are in any way responsible for your injury, your employer is not at fault. If ever you slipped or lost an arm or leg means you are not entitled to any compensation. In that sense, you are solely responsible for your injuries, no matter how dangerous the machinery is.
   
   
2. Fellow Servant
   The fellow servant rule states that employers are not liable for employee injuries that result from the action or negligence of a fellow employee. This law began in Britain, where the case of Priestly v. Fowler in 1837 happened.
   
   
3. The Assumption of Risk
   Assumption of risk declares that employees know the hazards of the job when they sign their contracts. So by agreeing to work in a position that carries risk, employers were not required to provide compensation insurance. Due to this, the doctrine was also known as “death contracts” or “workers’ right to die.”

Learn More About Workers’ Compensation 
The current workers' compensation system went through a rough road before it reached its status today. There’s a lot to know about workers’ compensation insurance. Nowadays, businesses have workers’ compensation insurance coverage to protect the company and employees. 

At Richard Turner Insurance Agency, we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (619) 296-6222 or Click Here to request a free quote. Topics and coverage discussed in this article are not guaranteed, consult with your agents to determine what your policy does and does not cover. We are more than happy to help!