In Ohio, workers’ compensation laws apply to part-time and full-time workers of any age. So if your teen bags groceries after school and suffers a work-related injury, they’re eligible for workers comp. As a parent or legal guardian, you need to know the basics of filing a claim so they receive the medical compensation they need or are covered for lost wages.
The rules around minors and workers’ comp can be complicated. But the bottom line is that Ohio employers are required to carry coverage for all their workers, regardless of age. Therefore, your teen has important rights and protections on their side, and you should not hesitate to work with an Ohio workers’ comp attorney regarding your teen’s rights.
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, employers who have one or more employees are required to buy workers’ compensation insurance.
Any minor employed in Ohio, whether part-time or full-time, is eligible for workers’ comp benefits. This includes teens working in retail, food services, as interns, and in summer jobs. The only exceptions are minor children employed by their parents or guardians.
If your teen suffers an injury at work, workers’ comp should pay for all the reasonable costs of treating an injury. This includes hospital stays, physical therapy, medication(s), and transportation for medical appointments and care. Workers’ comp will also pay a portion of any wages lost if your teen misses work due to a work-related sickness or injury.
Your teen should report a work-related injury to their employer immediately. The employer will then report the claim to their workers’ comp insurance provider. Be prepared to provide details about the injury, medical records, and other information, as required.
While the workers’ comp process can seem complicated, the benefits are there to protect your teen. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or consult with a lawyer regarding your rights. The most important thing is your teen’s health and well-being.
In Ohio, most injuries teen employees sustain on the job are covered under workers’ compensation. This includes injuries from accidents, repetitive motion, or exposure to harmful substances.
Slips, trips and falls, injuries from operating equipment or tools, and vehicular accidents are typically covered under workers’ comp. For example, maybe your teen works as a teen cart attendant at a local grocery store.
Let’s say they slipped and fell on a wet floor while collecting carts. If they fractured their arm, it would qualify as an accidental work-related injury, and they would, in turn, qualify for workers’ comp.
Doing the same motion over and over at work can cause repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis.
For instance, a teen who scans and bags items for hours in a retail store may develop wrist pain or a repetitive motion injury. These types of gradual onset injuries are also covered under workers’ compensation claims.
Teens exposed to toxic chemicals, fumes, or other health hazards on the job that cause illness or disease can file a workers’ compensation claim.
For example, maybe your teen works as a lifeguard at a nearby indoor pool. They may develop breathing problems from long-term exposure to pool chemicals. If so, they may be eligible for benefits.
Ohio law protects most teen employees by providing medical and wage benefits for injuries that happen because of their jobs. If your teen has been hurt or becomes sick because of their work, report the injury to their employer right away to take advantage of important workers’ compensation rights.
If you run into a dispute with an employer, you should seek help from a workers’ comp lawyer.
To file a workers’ compensation claim for a minor in Ohio, you’ll need to take the following steps:
After experiencing an on-the-job injury, minors should follow the same protocol as adults to receive proper treatment and submit a claim for compensation.
After they are injured, they should promptly seek assistance from nearby individuals. In the event of a severe injury, they should either contact 911 themselves or request someone else to do so on their behalf.
Next, they need to seek medical care – either through emergency responders or by arranging transportation to a hospital or medical care facility.
Teens must also report the injury or illness to the supervisor, manager, or the respective owner of the company or property where they’re employed.
With the help of an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney, you can ensure your teen is well covered in such an event.
Take your teen to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Inform the doctor that the injury occurred at work. The doctor will need to fill out paperwork regarding the injury for the workers’ comp claim. All medical costs related to a work injury should be fully covered.
You or your teen will need to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, also called the BWC. This establishes your teen’s right to benefits like medical care and compensation for lost work time.
Claims can be filed on BWC’s website, by phone, by mail, or in person. Provide details about the injury, employer information, and medical records when filing the claim.
If the claim is approved, your teen may receive benefits such as the payment of medical bills, compensation for lost work time, and additional benefits for a permanent disability.
While the workers’ compensation system can be complicated, following the above steps will help ensure your teen receives the benefits they deserve after suffering an on-the-job injury or sickness.
Don’t hesitate to contact the BWC or a workers’ compensation attorney for help or if you have any questions about the process.
Minors have the potential to receive an increased benefit through workers’ compensation compared to adults in similar jobs. This is especially true if they experience a permanent disability.
Because of their limited work experience and lower wages, teens may not be adequately covered with respect to conventional calculations. As a result, they may be eligible to receive the maximum workers’ comp amount.
Additionally, minors may be given additional compensation if they were required to perform tasks prohibited for individuals in their age group. This may include violations that involve exceeding the permitted work hours per week, working late into the evening, or regularly working an excessively long shift.
They may also be entitled to receive supplementary compensation if they were working in an industry that restricts minors or if they were required to perform hazardous duties as part of their job.
While your teen may be eager to gain work experience and earn an income, make sure you understand their rights as minor employees.
Do your homework and talk to your teen’s employer about their workers’ comp policy before your teen starts the job. Your teen’s safety and well-being should be a top priority. Make sure your working teen is properly covered in case they get hurt or sick on the job.
Your teen’s first job experience will be challenging enough without having to worry about who’s paying any medical bills or supplementing a claim for lost wages. Give yourself peace of mind and get the details on your teen’s workers’ comp rights now.
Do you need help with a worker’s compensation claim? If so, contact Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz for a free, no-obligation consultation right away.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., Doug Mann, a top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
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