If you had a workplace injury in the past, then you likely know all about workers' compensation insurance. Unfortunately, however, most employees do not fully understand this employment benefit until after an injury occurs. It can be more overwhelming and stressful when you attempt to go through all of the documentation required for these claims without proper knowledge of them. To better understand the complexities surrounding workers' compensation laws in California, consult the information below. It will detail the history behind these types of policies.
Early History
Believe it or not, employers have understood the concept of workers' compensation insurance for literal centuries. "The Code of Hammurabi," which Hammurabi created over 5,000 years ago, for instance, detailed that employees should receive at least some compensation after facing an injury on the job.
Moving forward, the ancient Roman and Greek cultures began to provide compensation for individuals who faced workplace injuries of some types. The earliest Arabic and Chinese people followed suit. Unfortunately, however, they only wanted to cover amputations occurring due to an assigned task while on the job.
The Past 200 Years
Congress tried to enact official workers' compensation laws in America in the nineteenth century. These legal steps were, in part, due to the need for protection for workers employed during the Industrial Revolution. Working conditions were harsh and, more often than not, overtly dangerous.
The fire at the Triangle Shirt Waist factory in 1911 finally sealed the deal for Congress to pass their legislation. After this event, labor unions grew exponentially as well. Unfortunately, however, employees had to always work with a workers' compensation attorney, San Diego-based or elsewhere, to get the benefits deserved.
Modern Changes to Workers' Compensation Laws
Due to the prevalence of lawsuits and the lack of appropriate benefits, California passed the Workers' Compensation Insurance and Safety Act in 1917. Through this new law, workers' compensation became what most understand it to be in modern times.
First, employees do not have to prove that they were at fault to claim their benefits. They only have to be on the job, performing their job-related duties. Businesses also have some protection under workers' compensation insurance, however. They are unable to face a lawsuit if they act fair after an employee files a claim.
Contact a Workers' Compensation Attorney
Unfortunately, the passage of the Workers' Compensation Insurance and Safety Act did not prevent all lawsuits against employers and the insurance companies themselves. Sometimes, these individuals act unfairly and refuse to grant you the benefits you need for your injury.
A workers' compensation attorney San Diego-based, like those at Rawa Law Group, is still readily available to collect evidence for your case so that you can receive your benefits as soon as possible. They want you to get back to total health, which you cannot do without the financial assistance that this type of insurance can provide to you.
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