The Impact of Employers’ Liability on 19th Century UK Coalmining Fatalities

Abstract

The effects of the increase in the employers’ liability on work accidents is under-researched. Here the impact using time series analysis of changes brought about by the Employers’ Liability Act 1880 and Workmens’ Compensation Act 1897 on the UK coal mining fatality rates and wages over the period 1873 to 1914 are investigated. The statistical analysis finds little evidence that these reforms affected coal mining fatality rates. There is some statistical evidence that this may have been due to offsetting wage adjustments as the employers were required to compensate those injured and the survivors of deceased miners.

Keywords: employers’ liability, work fatalities, common law, mines regulation, contributory negligence, common employment, fellow servant rule, workmens’ compensation, UK coalmining

JEL Classification: J28, J17, J18, J31, J39, J81, K13, K13