How Does Workers’ Comp Work?
By Diane Tait Image courtesy videoblocks.com Since the 1920’s workers’ compensation has benefited workers in this country should they become injured, incapacitated or killed while on the job. Prior to that, injured workers were required to sue their employer for their injuries and loss of income. Worst still was that employees had to wait months for any financial assistance, which could prove devastating for workers and their families. Many of the awards that were awarded by courts were arbitrary since there was no defined system or scale that determined what an injury or a life was worth. Worse still was the fact that many workers lost their cases in court or had a substantial amount of their award eroded by attorney’s fees. By the middle of the 19 th Century, it was clear that something had to be done.