The development of workers compensation statutes made it easier for employees by:

• A. Requiring employers to compensate employees who are injured on the job, regardless of whether the employer was responsible.
• B. Stating that employees only have to prove contributory negligence by the employer rather than gross negligence to receive benefits.
• C. Allowing employees to recover benefits from fellow employees that contributed to the workplace accident or injuries.
• D. Eliminating legal delays and allowing employees and employers to settle lawsuits faster.

Answer: (A)

Workers' compensation statutes create a no-fault system that guarantees benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. This fundamentally changes how injuries are handled: instead of suing the employer and proving negligence, the employee receives medical care and wage replacement through a statutorily prescribed benefits program funded by the employer’s workers' comp insurance. The employer is obligated to compensate for work-related injuries irrespective of who was at fault, which is why this makes things easier for employees.

This is why the other ideas don’t fit as the primary shift. Contributory negligence by the employer isn’t required for benefits to be paid; fault is largely irrelevant under the system. Benefits don’t come from fellow employees, but from the employer’s insurance or fund. And while the no-fault setup can reduce litigation and speed up resolution, the essential concept is the guaranteed, no-fault compensation framework rather than just faster settlements.