Introduction
Did you know that workers' compensation laws were originally passed for the protection of the employer? It's true. Employers were being sued by employees for unsafe working conditions and co-employees were suing each other for negligence. The money damages were too great for employers so they sought protection from their lawmakers.
As a result, workers' compensation was created with the idea that everyone would recover some amount for injuries in the workplace but the amount of recovery would be controlled. Thus, workers' compensation laws put in place caps on employer liability and provided injured workers immediate - yet reduced - benefits and eliminated the need to prove negligence or fault.
The workers' compensation law was supposed to be a very simple method for handling these matters. Unfortunately, as with any other law, there are continuing changes in the law affecting procedures, burdens of proof and benefits available. As a result, workers' compensation, more now than ever, is very complex with its own set of rules and practices. A major new workers' compensation law went into effect on May 15, 2011.
Contact a Kansas work comp lawyer representing clients in Topeka, Kansas today to schedule your free initial consultation.
This material is presented by the law firm of McCULLOUGH, WAREHEIM & LaBUNKER, P.A. in an effort to answer the most often asked questions about workers' compensation. They feel you should know your rights. The law firm of McCULLOUGH, WAREHEIM & LaBUNKER, P.A. is located in Topeka, Kansas and in Westwood, Kansas. The law firm has dedicated itself to representing injured workers and other individuals across the State for almost 60 years.
It is hoped that this information provides some of the answers you are looking for. It should only be used as a guide to general situations. The law is always changing. For specific problems, you need to seek and obtain qualified advice.
On behalf of McCULLOUGH, WAREHEIM & LaBUNKER, P.A. we hope this material will be of benefit to you in answering your questions relative to work-related injuries. This material is a part of an ongoing commitment by McCULLOUGH, WAREHEIM & LaBUNKER, P.A. to unions, their members, and injured workers in the State of Kansas.Contact one of our Kansas work injury lawyers representing clients in Wichita, Kansas (and throughout the State of Kansas) today to schedule your initial consultation.