Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyer

Workers' Compensation History

Workers compensation is a form of insurance that provides compensation medical care for employees who are injured in the course of employment, in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee’s right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence. If you or your family member is injured or becomes sick in the course of employment, an experienced and skilled workers compensation lawyer from the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can assess your potential workers compensation claim.

Employees’  compensation laws are usually a feature of highly developed industrial societies, implemented after long and hard-fought struggles by trade unions. Supporters of such programs believe they improve working conditions and provide an economic safety net for employees. Conversely, these programs are often criticized for restricting workers common-law rights (such as suit in tort for negligence) in order to reduce the governments’ or insurance companies’ financial liability. These laws were first enacted in Europe, with the United States following shortly thereafter.

Workers Compensation History and Origin

The German Workers’ Compensation Law of July 6, 1884, initiated by Prince Otto von Bismark, passed only after three attempts. It was the first of its kind in the world. Similar laws passed in Austria in 1887, Norway in 1894 and Finland in 1895.

The German Sickness Insurance Law paid indemnity to all private wage earners and apprentices, including those who work in agricultural and horticultural sectors and marine industries, family helpers and students with work-related injuries, for up to 13 weeks. Workers who were totally disabled got continued benefits at %67 after this 13 week period. This was paid by the accident fund, financed entirely by the employers.

History of Workers Compensation in the United States

In 1855, Georgia and Alabama passed the Employer Liability Act. Between 1855 and 1907, twenty-six other states passed similar acts. These acts simply permitted injured employees to sue the employer and then prove a negligent act or omission.

After German’s 1884 Act, workers compensation laws in the U.S. began to be reformed to reduce the need for litigation and to mitigate the requirement that the injured worker prove their injury was the fault of the employer.

In the U.S., the first state to pass such workers compensation laws was Maryland in 1902. The first law covering federal employees was passed in 1906. By 1949, all states had enacted some kind of workers compensation scheme. Such schemes were initially known as “workman’s compensation,” but today, most jurisdictions have adopted the term “workers’ compensation” as a gender-neutral alternative.

Free Workers Compensation Consultations

Our attorney has a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need. Based in St. Louis, and handling workers compensation cases throughout the entire State of Missouri, our law firm will ensure that your rights are protected. Please call (314) 361-4300 or toll free at (888) 872-6795. You can also complete our Online Case Evaluation Form. All communications are returned promptly.