History of Workers’ Compensation

In the later stages of the Industrial Revolution, conditions for workers in the United States were far
from ideal. Workers were often forced to work long hours in dangerous factories and other worksites.
Workplace injuries were common, and working conditions were often unsanitary. In response to these problems,
workers began organizing and demanding better treatment.

Workers’ compensation is one of the institutions they helped create to care for injured workers. It
is a type of insurance that covers employees who are injured in the workplace. The exact provisions
of this coverage can vary by jurisdiction and sometimes by workplace, but plans will very often include
payment for time lost and medical expenses. The introduction of workers’ compensation has allowed many
employees to avoid financial ruin due to injuries occurring in the workplace.

One common misconception about workers’ compensation is that it includes damages. Most of the time workers’
compensation does not include damages for pain and suffering. In addition, one legal precondition for
workers’ compensation is waiving the employer of charges of negligence. Employees who feel entitled
to damages due to negligence should hire an experienced lawyer to represent them.

Contact Us

Employees who choose to file for workers’ compensation stand to benefit from the help of a knowledgeable
lawyer. The Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., have years of experience
helping injured workers get back on their feet. For more information on how we can help you,
contact us today at 215-238-1130.