Workers' Compensation is an industrial insurance system enacted by the Legislature to assure that an injured worker receives "sure and certain relief" promptly, without question of fault and with a minimum of legal formality. In this system, Washington employees have the freedom to choose their own attending doctor in exchange for workers' compensation claims to be the sole mean of recovery for the occupational injury or illness. This is known as the exclusive remedy doctrine. However, the exclusive remedy doctrine has been eroded to some degree, in those cases where it is shown that the employer willfully disregarded or was grossly negligent in safety matters.
Below is a brief timeline of workers' compensation including Washington Hospitals Workers' Compensation Programs.
| c2,000 BC |
Hammurabi, ruler of Babylon, was responsible for the Code of Hammurabi, part of which bears resemblance to today's workers' compensation laws. |
| c460-c377 BC |
Hippocrates, the father of contemporary medicine, established a link between the respiratory problems of Greek stonecutters and the rock dust surrounding them. |
| 1667 |
The Great Fire of London (September 2-7, 1666) caused the first English fire insurance laws to be enacted. |
| 1864 |
The Pennsylvania Mine Safety Act (PMSA) was passed into law. |
| 1877 |
The state of Massachusetts passed a law requiring guarding for dangerous machinery, and took authority for enforcement of factory inspection programs. |
| 1878 |
The first recorded call by a labor organization for a federal occupational safety and health law is heard. |
| 1902 |
The state of Maryland passed the first workers' compensation law. |
| 1911 |
Industrial Insurance laws enacted in Washington State. |
| 1911-1915 |
During this period, 30 states passed workers' compensation laws. |
| 1968 |
President Lyndon Johnson called for a federal occupational safety and health law. |
| 1970 |
President Richard Nixon signed into law the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), thus creating the OSHA Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). |
| 1972 |
Self-Insurance for Workers' Compensation allowed for individual businesses in Washington State. |
| 1983 |
Legislation passed which allows for group self-insurance for hospitals and educational school districts in Washington State. |
| 1984 |
On April 1, 1984, two self insured hospital groups in Washington State begin with four full time staff:
- Not-for-Profit (11 members)
- Public Hospital District (28 members)
|
| 1987 |
Department of Labor & Industries approved change to allow not-for profit and for-profit hospitals in Washington Hospitals Trust as recommended by Washington Hospitals Workers' Compensation Trust Board. |
| 1989 |
Boards approve budget for safety program for Washington Hospitals Workers' Compensation Programs. |
| 1990 |
Safety program starts May 1990. |
| 1997 |
Hospital districts are added as a recognized self-insured employer group. |
