Final answer:
Under WICA, workers can claim compensation when injured due to their own negligence or if dependents remain after a worker's death. There is also provision for a disability payout and Supplemental Security Income for eligible workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), employees can claim compensation for injuries suffered on the job in a couple of scenarios, irrespective of certain conditions. The workman's compensation insurance ensures that workers are eligible for benefits, which might include cases where a worker's injury was sustained due to their own negligence or typical work-related risks. Additionally, the eligibility for claiming compensation extends to dependents of deceased workers, such as the widow of a qualified worker receiving monthly benefits at age 65 or an aged dependent parent in some cases.
Furthermore, workers who become unable to work due to disability are entitled to a disability payout from Social Security, given that they can demonstrate the disability will last at least twelve months. Moreover, Supplemental Security Income provides additional financial assistance to those with significant disabilities or elderly individuals who fall below an income threshold.
The historic context of workers' compensation traces back to the early 1900s when laborers, unions, and Progressive reformers lobbied for mandatory compensation laws. These laws were aimed at increasing workplace safety, curbing the rise of radicalism, and preventing labor strikes, thereby shaping the modern workers' compensation framework that includes WICA.