Teen Worker Injuries: 5 Things to Know
Workers of any age in South Florida can get hurt on the job, and that includes teenagers who are in both full-time and either part-time or seasonal positions. When a teenager gets hurt while working, it can be difficult to know how Florida law and the Florida workers’ compensation system will apply, especially given that there are important legal distinctions more broadly between minors under the age of 18 and teenagers who are legally considered adults at age 18 and older. In general, it is important to know that the Florida workers’ compensation system does not distinguish between minors and adults in terms of their eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits — both adolescent teenagers who are minors and teens who are adults can obtain workers’ compensation benefits when they meet other requirements. You should know that other federal and state laws may provide additional protections to minors who have been hurt on the job, but more broadly, the injuries may be compensable through the Florida workers’ compensation system.
What do you need to know about teen workers and on-the-job injuries? The following are five important points our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyers want you to know.
- Teen Workers Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Coverage in Florida
The Florida workers’ compensation system compensates teen workers just as it does workers of other ages who meet eligibility requirements.
- Underage Teen Workers and Adult Teen Workers Can Both Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Workplace Injury
Many people have questions about teen workplace injuries when the teen is a minor (i.e., under the age of 18). Under Florida law, minors can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits just as adults can. When a very young teenager has been employed unlawfully, other laws might come into play, but the key thing to know about workers’ compensation is that eligibility for benefits is not impacted just because a worker is a minor.
- Restaurant Industry Has the Highest Rate of Teen Worker Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the highest rate of teen work injuries are in the restaurant industry. Indeed, many teens work as servers or hosts at restaurants, and in various roles at fast-food chains. While these are the most common places for teen work injuries, an employed teenager can be injured in any type of job and may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Part-Time and Seasonal Teen Workers Can Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits Just Like Full-Time Employees
Many teens work on a part-time or seasonal basis, and you should know that injuries in this type of work are also eligible for workers’ compensation. You do not need to be a full-time employee to obtain benefits.
- Teen Workers Need to Take Steps to Obtain Benefits
Just like any injured employee of another age, teens must take steps to obtain benefits after a work injury. Florida law requires that the injury be reported to the employer within 30 days and that the injured worker see an approved health care provider.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Do you have any questions about how workers’ compensation helps teen workers? Or do you have general questions or concerns about seeking workers’ compensation benefits? In the aftermath of a workplace injury, it is essential to get in touch with a lawyer who can help you with your claim. One of our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. can talk with you today to learn more about your workplace injury and to help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits you need.
Sources:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2017/Chapter440
archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/niosh/updates/teenfast.html
