When were workers' compensation laws first established?

Workers' compensation laws were first established in the early 20th century, with many states enacting their own systems to protect workers injured on the job. The correct choice, July 1, 1935, aligns with significant milestones in the development of workers' compensation in the United States. This was during a period when social legislation was gaining momentum, and states began to adopt comprehensive workers' compensation laws as part of a broader effort to support labor rights and provide financial assistance to injured workers.

This development marked a shift from traditional liability laws, which required injured workers to prove employer negligence to receive compensation. Instead, workers' compensation created a no-fault insurance system, ensuring that injured employees would receive benefits without having to prove fault, which was a groundbreaking change in labor laws.

This historical backdrop is essential for understanding why the chosen date is significant in relation to the evolution of workers' protection policies. The establishment of these laws laid the foundation for subsequent regulations and reforms in occupational safety and health, molding the modern landscape of worker benefits.