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Sydney E. McKenna

Understanding Workers’ Compensation: The Realities Behind “No Pain, No Gain”

Many employees harbor a common misconception about workers’ compensation, likening it to personal injury cases such as a car accidents or medical malpractice claims. However, there is a fundamental difference they often overlook; in workers’ compensation, there are no payouts for general damages like pain and suffering or loss of life enjoyment. This discrepancy often leaves workers feeling unjustly treated.


To truly grasp this, we need to delve into the historical roots of the Workers’ Compensation System, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. It emerged as a solution to the harsh realities faced by injured workers at the time. Prior to its establishment, an injured employee seeking compensation had to navigate the treacherous waters of tort law, potentially facing a lengthy and uncertain legal battle against their employer. Moreover, if the worker was found partially responsible for the work accident, their chances of receiving any compensation dwindled.


Enter the Grand Bargain, or Quid Pro Quo, as it is known. This agreement reshaped the landscape of workplace injury compensation. In exchange for relinquishing their right to sue their employer, employees gained vital assurance, access to medical benefits and a portion of their lost wages, regardless of fault.


The core principle of this system is efficiency. Once an on-the-job injury is established, the claim should be swiftly processed and compensated. However, reality often doesn’t always align with this ideal. Delays, disputes, and other hurdles can plague the process, leaving injured workers in limbo.


In essence, workers’ compensation embodies the notion of “no pain, no gain” in a unique context. While it may seem unfair to some, understanding its historical underpinnings sheds light on its purpose and function. This is part of the ongoing struggle to balance the rights of workers with the interests of employers in a complex and ever-evolving labor landscape.


No Pain No Gain.


One of the misconceptions workers’ have regarding workers’ compensation is that it is similar to a tort case like a car crash or a medical negligence claim. The worker/client is surprised when I explain that in a workers’ compensation case, you do not get general damages like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment in life. Many workers feel this is unfair.

This goes back to the very establishment of the Workers’ Compensation System. It started in the Industrial Revolution and became known as the Grand Bargain. Before the system came into place, if an employee was injured on the job then in order to get his medical bills paid, recover wage loss or any other damages, he would have to sue his employer in a tort case. And, if that employee was at fault then the employee’s negligence would be reviewed by the court or the jury and often might preclude a successful verdict. The Grand Bargain or Quid Pro Quo as it called, took away the employees right to sue which provided immunity to the employer and in exchange the employee is guaranteed medical benefits and a portion of his/her wage loss EVEN if the employee was at fault.


The system is supposed to work expeditiously so that once an on the job injury is established, then the claim should be adjusted and paid.

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