Teens and Workers’ Compensation
As teens venture out in search of that coveted first job, they probably do not think much about what they would do if they ever became injured or ill on the job. Teen workers have less experience and may not be fully aware of job-related hazards that pose a risk to their health.
Employees ages 15 to 19 are more than 20 times more likely than those over age 25 to go to the emergency room with a work-related injury. Jobs that are popular for teens often come with added risks because their employers may not invest time and money into safety training for seasonal, part-time, and entry level workers. They may not realize it, but younger workers who suffer an accident on the job may be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation for their injuries.
Potential accidents facing teen workers:
- Slip and falls: Wet floors or debris in the aisles of restaurants, movie theaters, and retail stores can lead to sprains, strains, and fractures, along with head, neck, and spine injuries.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Teen workers who perform the same task repeatedly for long periods of time are at risk for repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Burns: Ovens and other kitchen equipment, toxic chemicals, and hot machinery can lead to serious burns and permanent scarring.
- Lifting injuries: Teens who are not trained in the proper way to lift heavy objects can suffer painful musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion.
- Weather-related illness: Landscaping, lifeguarding, and spending the summer as a camp counselor expose teens to heat illnesses, which can be life threatening without intervention.
Teen Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation
Many injured workers forego valuable benefits after an injury because they assume only full-time employees are entitled to Workers’ Compensation. However, if a teen worker earns wages and has taxes taken out of their paycheck, they are eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits after a work injury.
Besides earning a wage and having taxes taken out of your paycheck, there are certain criteria teen workers must meet to be eligible for Workers’ Compensation. The teen’s injury must have occurred at work while performing job-related duties and they must receive medical attention from a professional.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your teen has been injured at work, instruct them to report the incident to their employer immediately. Document the scene of the accident with photos and witness testimony, if possible. Save all medical reports and documents as they may be crucial to your claim.
New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Protect the Rights of Injured Workers
At the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr, our New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation lawyers carefully evaluate the details of your accident and injury to determine the best course of action. Whether you or your loved one has been injured at work, in a car accident, or in a public building, we will protect your rights and work for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 732-537-8570 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We are centrally located in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas.
