People often associate work-related injuries with middle-age or older workers who earn a living via dangerous jobs. In fact, just about anyone, of any age, can suffer a workplace injury.
Teens are often at greater risk of injury than adults – even in “safe” environments like restaurants or stores. That’s partly because employers are less likely to spend the same amount of time training young employees who may only work after school and on weekends as they do their full-time employees.
Further, teens are generally less risk-averse than adults. They may pick up a hot plate of food without checking it first or climb up on a ladder without asking someone to spot them. They also may not give much thought to an injury (or get treatment for it) until it becomes obvious that it’s serious.
Even if a teen is injured at work (or becomes ill due to a workplace condition), they may not think they qualify for workers’ compensation – or even know what it is. That’s why it’s crucial for parents to know about – and to make sure that their kids are aware of – these and other rights that individuals have when they enter the workplace.
Teen workers and Pennsylvania law
Most Pennsylvania employers are required by law to carry workers’ comp insurance for their employees. That insurance is available to employees regardless of their age and whether then work full-time, part-time or seasonally (for example, only during the summers).
Young employees are entitled to workers’ comp benefits when they’re injured at work, even if they’re too young to be legally employed or if their employer is violating some other child labor law. Pennsylvania law requires that if the employer is violating other laws, the minor is entitled to receive 150% of the amount of compensation “that would be payable to such minor if legally employed.”
Unfortunately, you can’t count on your teen’s employer to know the state’s workers’ comp laws – or to abide by them if they do. That’s why it’s crucial that you and your teen know their rights and that you are able to assert them. Don’t let your teen fall prey to false information, like being told that they can be fired if they file a claim. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s workers’ comp rights or claim, it’s smart to get legal guidance.