Accidents Lead to Workers’ Comp

The west end of the half-completed 3rd Street tunnel collapsed, killing three workers and injuring nine others. A month earlier, three workers were seriously injured in separate cave-ins at the same site. The contractors declared they had no liability for workers injured on the job, and city officials decided that because the cave-ins were accidents, no liability could be attached. Angry L.A. trade unionists lobbied after the accidents for workers’ compensation legislation. Finally, in 1911, legislators enacted a voluntary plan of compensation benefits. Two years later, benefits were made compulsory, regardless of fault.