If your teen recently started their first summer job, you’re likely happy that they’re keeping busy, earning some money and taking an important step toward adulthood. You’re probably not especially concerned that they’ll be injured – particularly if they’re working someone like a restaurant or store. Idaho, like other states, has laws that limit what jobs and industries young teens can legally work in.
However, teens can – and do – suffer injuries in all kinds of jobs. A spilled pot of boiling water in a restaurant kitchen or a ladder that slips out from under a teen climbing up to reach something on a high shelf can result in serious, potentially long-term injuries.
Who is eligible for workers’ comp in Idaho?
While you certainly hope something that serious doesn’t happen to your child, it’s crucial that parents and their teens know that they have the same right to workers’ compensation as other employees in their workplace. The Idaho Industrial Commission states, “Employers with one or more full-time, part-time, seasonal, or occasional employees are required to maintain a workers’ compensation policy unless specifically exempt from the law.” This applies to minors as well as adults.
Workers’ comp can cover medical care for work-related injuries and illnesses and help recoup some lost wages if a worker has to take any time off while they heal. It’s important for your teen to know about workers’ comp so that they don’t accept misinformation from their employer – whether that misinformation is intentional or not.
Of course, it’s better if they aren’t injured in the first place. Summer and part-time employees have the same right to appropriate safety training and protective equipment as full-time employees.
If your teen suffers a workplace-related injury or illness, it’s important for them and you to know their rights. Seeking legal guidance may be necessary if their employer tries to deny them those rights.