Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability, SSI, and Genetic Testing

In addition to disability insurance purchased privately by individuals or employers, three other major types of disability insurance are available: Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). The first two, Workers’ Compensation and SSDI, are available to individuals with work connections. The third, SSI, does not require a work connection. Workers’ Compensation laws were initially passed to provide economic protection for workers and their families when a worker suffered an accident on the job resulting in an injury. The first laws passed were subject to court challenges based on their constitutionality. Ultimately courts approved the constitutionality of the Workers’ Compensation laws rationalizing that the laws created a compromise whereby an employee gave up her right to sue for a tort recovery in exchange for the employer's agreement to pay benefits without regard to the cause of the accident.