History of Workers' Compensation

These pages contain a survey of resources on the history of workers' compensation. These resources also contain related information describing contemporary workers' compensation systems in various countries. Finally, links to various glossaries are included.

Picture at Right: Otto Von Bismarck
The Iron Chancellor of Prussia was a softy when it came to pioneering liberal social insurance. He advocated the first modern workers' compensation system in 1884.

History of Workers' Compensation

Comprehensive catalog of workers' compensation histories as detailed in web and non-web reports, books, and papers.

History of the IAIABC

The development of the IAIABC from 1914 to 2007.

Overview of Modern Workers' Compensation Systems in the United States

Summary of the main features in the United States workers' compensation agencies. Prepared by the IAIABC in 2008. 

Overview of Modern Workers' Compensation Systems in Canada

Comprehensive description of Canadian workers' compesnation agencies. Prepared by the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada in 2007.

 Overview of Modern Workers' Compensation Systems in Australia and New Zealand
Comprehensive review of workers' compensation arrangements in Australia and New Zealand published in 2006. 

Glossary of WC Terms 

Links to several glossaries of general workers' compensation terminology. 

Picture at Left: Osband Brothers Logging Camp, 1906, Towanda, PA
Before workers' compensation, dangerous occupations like logging were considered to be highly compensated in exchange for the "assumption of risk" inherent in that line of work.