If your teen is taking on their first job this summer — or even if they’ve had part-time or holiday jobs before – you may not have given any thought to workers’ compensation benefits. Your teen may not even know what workers’ comp is.
Certainly, you don’t want your child to be injured at work. However, it’s important to know that they are likely entitled to workers’ comp benefits if they do suffer a work-related injury or illness.
Most New Jersey employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers employees who are minors, even if they’re employed part-time or on a seasonal or temporary basis. It does not, however, typically cover those who work as unpaid interns or volunteers.
What if an employer is violating child labor laws?
New Jersey, like other states, has child labor laws that restrict the hours that younger teens can work and when they can work, as well as what kinds of jobs they can legally do. A young worker and their parents may be unaware that the employer is violating those laws.
Regardless, if they suffer an injury, they may be afraid or even be told by their employer that this makes them ineligible for workers’ comp or that the young worker could even get in legal trouble.
None of that is true. In fact, under the law, a young worker may eligible for greater workers’ comp benefits if their employer was violating child labor laws.
Don’t believe false information
Teen workers are among the most likely to be injured at work. They often don’t receive the same amount of safety training as their full-time colleagues. They may be more likely to take risks that older workers don’t take. Further, they often don’t report injuries that may seem minor – until they’re not. As noted, many don’t know anything about workers’ comp benefits or their right to them.
Unfortunately, some employers count on young employees not knowing their rights. They may tell them they aren’t eligible for workers’ comp, that they will have their hours cut or lose their jobs if they seek workers’ comp.
If your teen has suffered a work-related injury or illness and is having difficulty seeking or obtaining workers’ comp benefits, it can be wise to get legal guidance to help protect your child’s rights and get the benefits to which they’re entitled.