State social insurance programs which provide cash benefits to workers or their dependents injured, disabled, or deceased in the course, and as a result, of employment. The employee is also entitled to benefits for some or all of the medical services necessary for treatment and restoration to a useful life and possibly a productive job. These programs are mandatory under State laws in all States.
Legislation designed to insure prompt medical care and cash benefits to workers injured in connection with a job or cash benefits to the family of a worker killed in an accident “arising out of and in the course of employment.” Each state is allowed to provide its own Workmen’s Compensation Laws but no state’s laws cover all jobs and in some states employers are not required to participate in the compensation system. However, employers who choose not to participate are not allowed to use the system as a defense against the claims of an injured worker. Most state Workmen’s Compensation Laws include coverage for occupational diseases but do not permit claims for injuries due to worker misconduct, such as intoxication on the job or negligence.