I know this isn't the WC forum but many here suffer from the inhumane treatment allowed in the system. I will post on the WC forum, I just posted it here for those who don't visit that forum........Hope

www.viaw.org/rights_history.html?menu=rights OR
http://www.viaw.org/rights_history.html?menu=rights

"Early studies in Pennsylvania showed work to be the leading cause of death. Workers were allowed to sue their employers only if negligence could be proved.

Employers were concerned about their liability, not all of which was covered 100% by their liability insurance leaving them vulnerable to civil lawsuits and large payouts.

These problems eventually led to passage of the Boynton Act in 1913 that provided for an integrated system that required employers to have safety programs and provide for compensation for workers injured in the course of employment. This "no fault"system is often referred to as the "historic bargain"between employers and workers: Workers gave up the right to sue their employers in civil court for work injuries in exchange for an administrative system that provided prompt medical treatment and compensation.
Later on, the bargain was preserved in the California Constitution. Here's what it says:

"California Constitution, Article XIV, Section 4
VotersInjuredatWork.org is dedicated to preserving the rights and benefits that are guaranteed under the California Constitution, Article XIV, Section 4. .......................
SEC. 4. The Legislature is hereby expressly vested with plenary power, unlimited by any provision of this Constitution, to create, and enforce a complete system of workers' compensation, by appropriate legislation, and in that behalf to create and enforce a liability on the part of any or all persons to compensate any or all of their workers for injury or disability,
Then end result was the virtually unanimous approval of what is the worst workers' compensation bill in the 90 year history of workers' compensation in California. "

If you are interested, go to the site and read it all.