Dictionary of Law
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Workers' Compensation Acts :: legal definition


Workers' Compensation Acts - n. state statutes which establish liability of employers for injuries to workers while on the job or illnesses due to the employment, and requiring insurance to protect the workers. Worker's compensation is not based on negligence of the employer, but is absolute liability for medical coverage, a percentage of lost wages or salary, costs of rehabilitation and retraining, and payment for any permanent injury (usually based on an evaluation of limitation). Worker's' Compensation Acts provide for a system of hearings and quasi-judicial determinations by administrative law judges and appeal boards. However, if worker's' compensation is granted, it becomes the only remedy against an employer and does not include general damages for pain and suffering. Thus, an injured worker may waive workers' compensation and sue the employer for damages caused by the employer's negligence. If a third party contributed to the damages, the injured worker may sue that party for damages even though he/she receives worker's' compensation, but recovery may be subject to a lien for moneys paid out by the workers' compensation insurance company.


Related Law Terms

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contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
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damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
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employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment
employment :: n. the hiring of a person for compensation. It is ... ployment Workers' Compensation Acts
exemplary damages :: n. often called punitive damages, these are damage ... See also: damages punitive damages
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libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
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loss of use :: n. the inability to use an automobile, premises or ... ding or premises. See also: damages
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peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
permanent disability :: n. an injury which impairs the physical and/or men ... t injury Workers' Compensation Acts
permanent injury :: n. physical or mental damage which will restrict t ... ges. See also: permanent disability
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
promise :: 1) n. a firm agreement to perform an act, refrain ... so: consideration contract covenant
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
request :: 1) v. to ask or demand a judge to act (such as iss ... n. the act of asking or demanding.
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
subrogation :: n. assuming the legal rights of a person for whom ... also: negligence subrogee subrogor
subrogee :: n. the person or entity that assumes the legal rig ... aid. See also: subrogation subrogor
suffering :: n. the pain, hurt, inconvenience, embarrassment an ... njury negligence pain and suffering
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability
wiretap :: n. using an electronic device to listen in on tele ... invasion of privacy probable cause
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).
wrongful termination :: n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer ... ing an employee's grounds for suit.

Popular Law Searches

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Other Law Terms - W

waive :: v. to voluntarily give up something, including not ... the other state). See also: waiver
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widower :: n. a man whose wife died while he was married to h ... d to her and who has not remarried.
widow's election :: n. the choice a widow makes between accepting what ... nt and distribution succession will
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
will contest :: n. a lawsuit challenging the validity of a will an ... so: in terrorem clause probate will
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