California teens and the right to workers’ comp

Many parents of teens who work during the summer and maybe part-time or seasonally during other times of the year may not have considered the risk of injury – let alone what they would do if their child was injured seriously enough that they required medical treatment. That may be especially true if they’re bagging groceries and bringing in carts at the local grocery store or waiting tables at a restaurant, as opposed to being a camp counselor or lifeguar,d where they may be engaged in physically demanding activities in the hot sun.

All teens are actually at greater risk of injury than their older, full-time co-workers. There are a number of reasons for that. For example, too many businesses don’t spend as much time and manpower on safety and other training for part-time and seasonal employees. Further, teens are typically more likely to do potentially dangerous tasks like climbing up to reach high shelves or lifting heavy boxes than older workers are.

To make matters worse, teen workers aren’t as likely to seek workers’ compensation if they’re injured as full-time adult employees. They may have only a vague awareness of workers’ comp and assume they don’t qualify for it, especially if they’re under 18. 

What does California law require?

Any California employer with at least one employee is required to provide workers’ comp benefits to their employees – including minors and those in part-time, seasonal and other temporary jobs. Further, the law prohibits employers from terminating or otherwise retaliating against any worker who files a valid workers’ comp claim.

All workers, including minors, have the right to a safe workplace and “safe, well-supported job opportunities.” The law also protects those under 18 from “working in many hazardous jobs, and from working too late, too long, or too early.”

Of course, all parents would prefer that their teens remain safe and unharmed in their jobs. However, it’s important to know that if a work-related injury or illness requires medical care and time away from work, workers’ comp benefits can cover the cost of that care and a portion of lost wages. If an employer is making it difficult for your teen to apply for workers’ comp or giving them inaccurate information about it, it may be smart to get legal guidance.