Suisman Shaprio | Attorneys At Law
Suisman Shaprio | Attorneys At Law
The Largest Law Firm in Eastern Connecticut
Phones Answered 24 Hours A Day
A 75 Year Tradition of Innovation and Commitment to Excellence

Teenage workers and injuries

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2017 | Divorce

Connecticut teenagers may be eager to get a summer job. However, they should know that having one means that they are at risk of incurring workplace injuries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that in 2015, 13 percent of the labor force, or 19.1 million workers, were individuals under the age of 24. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that there are multiple types of hazards that place younger workers at risk, including poor supervision and safety training and inadequate equipment. NIOSH reported that 403 workers younger than 24 years died in 2015 from injuries sustained on the job. Twenty-four of the fatalities were minors. The rate of workplace injuries sustained by younger workers and treated in the emergency room are thought to be twice as high as the emergency room-treated injuries sustained by workers who were at least 25 years of age.

A report from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries states that sprains, strains and cuts are most the commonly reported teenage workplace injuries. Also indicated in the report is that there has been an increase in these types of injuries in the past few years. In 2016, 675 teenagers 17 or younger reported being injured while working. The fact that teenagers have a higher chance of being injured at work has been known for a long time. However, there should be no workplace injuries sustained by teenagers.

Regardless of their age, people who have been injured on the job should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. They might want to have the assistance of a lawyer when filing their claims.

FindLaw Network