Even if your teen has left their summer job as the school year begins, they may have another summer ahead of them as a teen part-time worker. Many teens don’t just work during the summer and school breaks but throughout the school year to help save up for college or just earn some additional spending money.
Whatever the case with your working teens, it’s important for them and you to understand their rights. For example, they have the same right to a safe workplace and appropriate safety training as their older, full-time colleagues.
There are also laws to protect teens from especially dangerous work. However, accidents and injuries can occur even in a relatively “safe” workplace like a restaurant or store.
Furthermore, if they are injured at work (or develop an illness due to a workplace condition), they likely have a right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. These can cover medical care and treatment and even provide some compensation for missed work.
Pennsylvania workers’ comp law and minors
All Pennsylvania employers are required to carry workers’ comp insurance for their employees. It is available regardless of an employee’s age and for part-time and seasonal workers in addition to full-time employees.
In fact, if a young worker whose employer is violating a child labor law (for example, regarding age or type of work) is injured, the law requires that they receive 150% of the amount of workers’ comp “that would be payable to such minor if legally employed.”
Unfortunately, too many employers don’t know the law or count on their teen employees to remain unaware of their rights. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s right to workers’ comp, contact the certified specialist workers’ compensation attorneys at Wolf, Baldwin & Associates by clicking here or calling 610-638-2842 to learn more.