The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-05-31
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
Provisions of Compensation Acts Pass.
ed by Various States.

ed by Various States.
By the LIST Of July in eleven states
workingmens compensation acts, or
employers liability laws, as they are
variously called, will be in operation
in this country. In as many more
states similar laws are in the course
of preparation to be presented for pas
sage at the next sessions Of the legis-
latures. The states having such laws
now upon their books are as follows:
California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachu-
sets. Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, Washington
and Wisconsin.
Not all Of these laws are wise, not
all are just in all their provisions. But
the fact remains that lawmakers and
the public alike have determined upon
a new policy in the treatment Of indi-
viduals who meet with accident in the
course Of their work, and the question
naturally arises, What will it cost en-
ployers?
That the new laws will operate to
the benefit of the working force is IN
questioned That some reform in our
methods of handling the cases Of in
iured employees has been needed is
likewise uuquestioned Whether the
laws that have been adopted provide
such a method remains to be seen,
although it is already apparent that in
their fundamental provisions they can
not work great harm to any individual
or class.
Universally the new laws take the
matter Of compensation to the injured
workman out of the courts, where it
was formerly adjusted. clumsily and
unsatisfactory and place the burden
definitely upon the shoulders of the
employer. They name a fixed price for
loss of life or injury occurring to the
worker in the performance of his du
ties, which must be met by the EN-
ployer, practically regardless of the cir
cumstances. The amount of this COM
penSatiOn ranges from a minimum Of
$1,000 in New Hampshire to a maxi
mum Of $1,000 in California in the
case of death; in the case of total disa-
bility from 80 per cent Of weekly earn
ings, with a limit of $1,000 in Massa
chusetts and New Hampshire, to sc %
per cent of weekly wages. continuing
until death if injury is permanent. in
Ohio; in cases of partial disability
from % per cent Of wage loss in Kan
sas to GO % per cent, with limit Of
SO 100 in Ohio Both Washington and
| Wisconsin have certain provisions in
their laws which are more drastic than
the above, since the former provides, in
the case of death. for monthly pay
ments to survivors during dependency
or childhood, with a lump sum to the
widow upon remarriage and the Wis
consin law, which allows Go per cent
of weekly earnings in cases of total
disability, adds that after the first
ninety days the compensation shall be
increased to 100 per cent of earnings,
with maximum payment of $4,000
Under the statutes of these states the
employer has no recourse to the courts
for the adjustment Of the rates of COM
pensation, says Business for April. He
foots the bill for the crimes of industry
in his own establishment. At the same
time. however, he is relieved from the
risk of excessive damages which have
been commonly awarded where case
could be made out against the employ
er, and he avoids the heavy costs of
lengthy litigation. incidentally the
state is saved the expense Of these law
suits and the courts are relieved of
much delay as the result of legal tan
/ giles.