Many teenagers find work during the summer, often in the retail, landscaping, restaurant, and warehouse industries. These industries, as well as all others, pose significant safety risks and summertime injuries among young workers. A recent Claims Journal publication revealed that between 1998 and 2007, there were approximately 795,000 injuries to young workers each year. Also, 403 workers under the age of 24 were fatally injured in workplace accidents in 2015, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Pennsylvania Child Labor Law protect underage workers from being hired for certain hazardous occupations, such as coal mining, driving a vehicle, or firefighting. Teens are entitled to the same minimum wages and overtime pay as workers over the age of 18. Those between 14 and 15 years old are restricted in terms of how many hours they can work in a day. Even when school is not in session during the summertime, they can work no more than eight hours a day, 40 hours a week.

Injured Teens

If a teen is injured at work, he or she is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits just like any other employee. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides coverage to nearly all Pennsylvania workers, excluding a few occupations that are instead covered by federal laws. The Department of Labor and Industry has specifically stated that workers’ compensation is available to both seasonal and part time workers. As such, summertime teen workers are covered under the Act.

The Act states that minors may receive workers’ compensation even if they were working in violation of Child Labor Laws. Therefore, if a worker under the age of 18 is injured while illegally employed, that minor is still entitled to compensation for his or her work injuries. In fact, the Act states that the minor is due 150 percent of the amount the minor would have been due if he or she was legally employed. Additionally, the employer, not the insurance carrier, is responsible for paying the extra 50 percent.

Minors must go through the same procedure as adults to claim workers’ compensation. They should report their injury in writing to their employer immediately within 120 days and seek medical attention. They may be eligible to receive the same workers’ compensation benefits as adult workers, including medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, specific loss benefits, and death benefits.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Help Teen Workers Obtain Compensation for Their Injuries

If your child was injured at work, contact a skilled Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Our attorneys have over 35 years of experience representing the rights of injured workers, including teenage workers injured at their summer jobs. We can help guide you through the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system and ensure your child’s rights are protected. We represent clients in Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County. Call us at 888-PITT-LAW or complete our online contact form for a free consultation.

Our team also provides skilled representation to those residing in and around Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester, and Wynnewood.