The History of Workers’ Compensation in Connecticut – The journey to workers having a voice and a safe working environment was a long one. Since the 1800s employees have had to fight for any compensation for injuries that occurred “at the workplace” or “on the job” and they have been evolving ever since. The safety measures and legal standing that employees have today are far better than during the industrial revolution. Workplace injuries in the mid 1800’s were solely the physical and financial responsibility of the worker. It took years of fighting, a series of laws, and many public protests to get where we are today. We must remember those that fought this battle in the beginning of the 20^th century so that workers’ injury claims now have guaranteed and fair benefits. 

 Workers’ Compensation – The Beginning

The dawn of the 20^th century brought the increase of heavy machinery, the demands of the assembly and production lines as well as product demand during the industrial revolution. It was these changes to the workplace that established, and demanded, that workers have protections and lead to the need for a fair workers’ compensation system. By 1884 Germany had already enacted protections for workers followed by England in 1897.

Prior to these protections injured employees had no assistance, financial help, or protections. Due to the high volume of cases and costly legal battles, that few could afford, there were long delays often settling on the side of the businesses that had the ability to retain the best representation. Many of those that suffered injury and illness in the workplace were left to cover their medical expenses to their financial ruin, leaving a once vibrant worker destitute and on welfare.

Connecticut was not the first state to enact Workers’ compensation legislation but over the years, through many changes and legal adaptations, it has become so much more than when the laws were originally passed. These changes provided for employees that were injured on the job or those who may have suffered an illness due to poor air or health standards for services rendered. It did not matter who was at fault for the accident or illness, these laws were now in place to help workers who were injured on the job receive compensation for medical costs and the resulting disability if needed. Workers’ compensation laws also specified fair amounts of benefits for injured employees, protecting employers from disastrous financial losses therefore protecting their business and other workers. Workers’ compensation additionally prohibited injured workers from filing a lawsuit against their employer and required the employer to pay the stated amount of benefits. This was the beginning stages to offering a solution to the growing need for established workers’ rights.  

More on the history of Workers’ Compensation in Connecticut – 100 Years of Workers Compensation Full Article

Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Waterbury

When a catastrophic or fatal injury changes your life, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the decisions you face. Can you afford the medical care you need? What happens if you cannot return to work? If you lost a loved one to wrongful death, how will your family go on without him or her?

These are serious questions that need answers. Fortunately, there is help available during this difficult time. At Tindall Law Firm, LLC, we help injury victims and their families recover damages for all the losses they sustain during a work injury, and also specialize in helping those harmed by the wrongful conduct of another for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. We aggressively pursue the compensation you need to heal and move forward. While favorable settlements are often possible, if going to a formal hearing in Worker’s Comp or a trial is in your best interests in the court system for third party cases, we will battle the insurance company until we get you fair and just compensation for the harms and losses you have sustained.

 If you’ve have suffered an injury on the job in Connecticut, contact our Waterbury firm today at 203.755.0018 to schedule your no obligation, no fee, workers’ comp consultation.