Many parents encourage the teens in their household to seek employment to better understand the value of money and to develop more responsible habits. However, like other members of the workforce, teens can also sustain injuries on the job and, in fact, these young workers are often more susceptible to injuries than adults. If your teen was injured while at work, he or she could be eligible for important workers’ compensation benefits.
Common Causes of Teen Accidents at Work
Teens generally find work in low-paying jobs, given their limited skill set and the restrictions their academic schedule presents. Unfortunately, some of these jobs are also quite hazardous. Jobs that often result in injuries for teen workers include:
- Janitorial services
- Restaurants and coffee shops
- Grocery and retail stores
- Movie theaters
- Warehouses
- Landscaping
- Other manual labor jobs
Additionally, accidents teens commonly experience in such occupations include:
- Accidents involving sharp knives: Since food industry jobs involve food preparation, teens often risk sustaining severe lacerations or even amputations when working with sharp knives, especially due to the fast-paced nature of these jobs.
- Accidents involving fryers and other hot liquids: When dealing with boiling water or scalding hot oil, a teen could sustain serious burns, which could potentially scar or result in disfigurement.
- Slips and falls: Slippery floors or cluttered work environments can easily cause workers to slip, trip, or fall, which could cause a variety of injuries, ranging in severity.
- Wear and tear: Some injuries do not occur from a single incident, but rather develop over time. Teen employees who perform repetitive movements can develop conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
- Accidents involving heavy lifting: When teen workers overexert themselves by lifting heavy objects, they can suffer a back, neck, or spinal injury.
Benefits Your Teen Can Access
If your teen suffered an injury at work, he or she could receive a variety of workers’ compensation benefits, including coverage of necessary medical care, income replacement, or disability benefits if the injury left him or her partially or totally disabled. Make sure you protect your teen’s right to workers’ compensation and report the incident as soon as possible so they can begin the claims filing process.
Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Columbia
Even teen workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, so if your teen suffered an injury while at work, you need to seek legal assistance to ensure he or she receives these vital benefits. At Masella Law Firm, P.A., our legal team in Columbia is dedicated to fighting on behalf of injured workers and will vigilantly fight to protect your teen’s rights. Contact us today!
Get started on your case and call Masella Law Firm, P.A. at (803) 938-4952 to schedule a case evaluation with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney.