The Case for Young Employees to File for Workers Comp.
In the United States, it’s normal for young adolescents to start working in their teen years. This is a great way to learn responsibility and manage one’s own money. It’s a gateway to acquiring some of life’s most important lessons but what most young workers don’t know are employee rights such as worker’s compensation.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the case for young employees filing for worker’s compensation. You may not encounter a work accident in your lifetime but it’s still important to know what your rights are in case anything happens.
So in what industries do young employees work?
Young workers are typically employed in retail, childcare, construction, and fast food. These jobs have risks around them since they do involve some heavy lifting, operating complex machinery, working in risky environments, handling toxic chemicals, and more.
What kinds of risks do young employees face when working?
There can be several risks depending on their line of work. The most common is slippery floors, lifting heavy objects, extreme temperatures, violent crime, sharp objects, falls, strain from repetitive tasks.
Are young employees limited from working certain jobs?
Yes. There are certain tasks that employees younger than 18 cannot do. This includes dangerous tasks such as working in an environment where there is radiation of explosives, operating heavy powered equipment, meatpacking or slaughtering.
Those who are younger than 15 years old are not allowed to work in construction or a warehouse. They cannot be permitted to load or unload a truck. They also are prohibited from baking or cooking as well as operate heavy machinery.
How old do you have to be to work?
It depends. In certain states, kids as young as 14 years old can already work. However, their hours are limited. They can only work a maximum of 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week. This number can go higher on summer with some teens able to work for up to 40 hours a week. If you are 16 and above, there is no limit to the amount of hours you work.
I got into an accident. How do I file for worker’s compensation?
First things first, make sure you get yourself appropriate medical attention. Not getting medical help right away can be taken against you when the time comes for you to file for worker’s comp. Next, record as much details of the accident –where it happened, what time, photos of the bruise or wound.
Inform your employer about the accident and then call a worker’s compensation lawyer. They are knowledgeable in handling these cases and can advise you on the steps to take to get the appropriate compensation.
You need to do this immediately as there is a certain timeline for when you can do so. If you go past the deadline, you cannot file for it anymore.
Who ends up paying for the compensation?
The employer themselves or their insurance company. They are not allowed to deduct the compensation from your paycheck. In addition, you are not allowed to sue your employer anymore since they did pay for the claim you fled.
How likely am I to get compensated?
Very likely. If there is a strong case that you had the accident due to work environment negligence then you are going to get compensated. Age is another factor too. Statistics show that young workers aged 15 to 24 have a better chance of getting approved for worker’s compensation since they are less prone to accidents and injuries.
What do I do with my compensation?
Use the compensation to pay for your medical treatment. Remember that this is separate from the health insurance that you have with your employer. If you are unable to do your old job anymore, you are entitled to free training that will allow you to perform other tasks.
I hope this helped you to understand worker’s compensation for young employees. What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below.
