First law on accidents at work in Portugal
In terms of professional liability, occupational injury insurance was introduced in Germany in 1884 by Bismark.
In 1802, some measures of prevention and regulation of working conditions had been legislated in England but linked to the theory of contractual liability.
The theory of compensation for accidents at work, which is an objective responsibility of the employer, is enshrined in Portugal in Law no. 83 of 24th July 1913.
The evolution from the theory of professional risk to the theory of economic risk of authority is materialized by Law no. 1942, promulgated on 27th July 1936, which governs the risks of accidents at work until the validity of Law 2127, of 3rd August 1965, regulated by Decree 360/71 of 9th August.
The National Table of Disabilities due to work accidents, legalized by Decree no. 43189 of 23rd September 1960, replaced the french table of Lucien Mayet, officially applied by the labor courts, by imposition of article 3 of Decree no. 21978, completing the application of the Table with the provisions of Decree-law no. 45497 of 30th December 1963.
The Law 2127 is in force until the entry into force of Law 100/97, of 13th September, which establishes the new legal regime for accidents at work and occupational diseases.
The Law 98/2009, of 4th September, regulates the regime of compensation for accidents at work and occupational diseases, including professional rehabilitation and reintegration, pursuant to article 284 of the Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009, of 12th February.
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First policy of Accident at Work “A Mundial, Companhia de Seguros”, Accidentes do Trabalho branch, 24 October 1913