Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation began in the early 1900s to address some of the human costs of the Industrial Revolution, and was the first of Canada's social institutions. It aimed to redress social instability by reimbursing workers for their suffering while protecting companies from costly court cases. Today employers often feel overburdened and workers believe they are undercompensated. Litigation, which the system intended to avoid, has been increasing. Little-understood environmental illness, computer-related injuries, and lower-back pain are just some of the results of new work environments that make injury assessment a constant source of conflict. This text brings together authorities from the disciplines of law, economics, sociology, medicine, and epidemiology to grapple with the most pressing issues. These ten essays explore compensation, the impact of workers' compensation on the macro-economy, the nature of appeals litigation, and the efficacy of regulatory control and cost incentives in reducing work-related injuries.