The first workers' compensation systems were established in the United States in the early twentieth century. By the 1950s, there were workers' compensation protections in place in all fifty states. Originally designed to provide a social safety net of sorts for lower-wage workers engaged in dangerous occupations, the scope of workers' compensation programs have now broadened significantly. Today, work injury law has expanded to include a number of medical categories, including repetitive stress injuries, overuse injuries, and mental health problems. Although there are benefits associated with these protections, the exponentially expanding costs of claims management and workers' compensation insurance premiums has proven to be difficult to bear for some companies, especially small businesses engaged in relatively high-risk endeavors, such as construction. As a result, experts recommend that all employers take a proactive approach toward initiating workplace safety protocols and minimizing their risk profiles. In addition, stringent due diligence in the claims management process can also help to reduce the costs associated with workers' compensation claims.