Workers compensation begun in the early 1900s to address some of the human costs of the industrial revolution was the first of canadas social institutions it aimed to redress social instability by reimbursing workers for their suffering while protecting companies from costly court cases the need for its regulatory function did not diminish over the course of the century indeed the need . Workers compensation foundations for reform gunderson morley hyatt douglas on amazoncom free shipping on qualifying offers workers compensation foundations for reform. Workers compensation systems bar workers and their families from bringing an action against the workers employer the employers agent or a co worker in respect of any personal injury disablement or death arising out of and in the course of employment in exchange it is said that workers have received a form of social insurance employers are charged with funding that insurance . Workers compensation foundations for reform morley gunderson douglas hyatt workers compensation begun in the early 1900s to address some of the human costs of the industrial revolution was the first of canadas social institutions it aimed to redress social instability