History of Workers Compensation Laws in Florida

Florida workers compensation lawyer Louis P. Pfeffer takes a brief look at the Florida’s workers comp history and what’s behind protecting the rights of workers who are injured in the workplace to file claims and receive benefits or settlements.

Workers compensations law, or ‘workmens’ compensation law as it had previously been called, has been in the United States for more than a century. It began as a way to cover employees of the federal government who were working in hazardous jobs and also to cover employees of transportation carriers engaged in interstate and foreign commerce. The first workmen’s compensation law was the Federal Employer's Liability act enacted in 1908. Adopted during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the law ensured that the Federal Government would provide workers with protection in the event of on the job injuries.

Across the U.S. the more industrial states began adopting workers compensation laws for hazardous employment duties, but Florida being a more rural and less populous state lagged behind. In the first half of the 20th century Florida’s primary industries were mining, agricultural, tobacco, cattle and logging. It wasn’t until the 1930s, when the population grew, that Florida adopted a workers comp law. The law was passed in order to attract business to Florida; an employer who purchased workers comensation insurance was generally immune from being sued by an injured employee.

Workmen’s compensation legislation was drafted and a new law was signed May 23,1935 as House Bill 29 and became effective July 1,1935. This new act came with the creation of the new Florida Industrial Commission which began operations in June of 1935. The commission had responsibility and authority for oversight and the setting of workers insurance regulations.

During the course of time there have been several major reforms to the law, the more notable changes coming in 1993 and then again in 2003. The 1993 reforms addressed the many changes in society and industry, and more particularly, the continued increase in workers comp claims and costs in medical care. In 2003 there was major reform with the structures of the Permanent Total, Impairment Income and Death Benefit laws. Workers compensation benefits were drastically reduced and the law now makes it tougher for an injured employee to collect benefits. There were also changes in some industry exemptions, compliance, investigation and workers comp claim handling. The changes of 2003 are still in effect today.

Workers compensation attorneys of the Louis P. Pfeffer law firm are experienced in all matters of law concerning workplace injuries, workers compensation claims and settlements, and personal injury litigation. We have an appreciation of the history of Florida workers comp laws and a deep understanding of how the law is applied today.

For more information of workers compensation claims and settlements in West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas in Florida, call the workers’ comp law firm of Attorney Louis P. Pfeffer today toll-free at 866-959-9237or fill out our online form.