Worker’s compensation—the idea of compensating a worker for injuries sustained while on the job—is a concept that dates back to the days of Hammurabi’s Code in 1750 BC. We can trace the progression through history, the rise and fall of the popularity of having worker’s comp in different societies. But, by and large, the majority of our societies have had some sort of established system that affords compensation to people who are hurt or killed while working.

Today, every state in the US has worker’s compensation laws to protect employees and employers, as well as their families.

When workers are injured on the job, they and their families can suffer. Medical costs can quickly skyrocket. Victims and their families can struggle to make ends meet because of the loss of income. The system also protects employers from being overwhelmed by having to pay out of pocket for their worker’s injuries.

Worker’s compensation is a crucial part of our legal system today. But it is also a complex one, that is often confusing to many people.

David Daggett is here today to talk to us about the in’s and out’s of worker’s compensation law and to answer some common questions.