It’s summer, which means that thousands of teens in America are currently searching for summer jobs to make a little cash before the school year. However, the Leader-Post reports that the youth workplace injury rate is higher in the summer. Those under the age of 25 are much more likely to get in an injury at the workplace due to recklessness, carelessness or poor job training.
Most workplace injuries among youth occur between July and August, when many individuals are performing their summer jobs. Most of these injuries are in the hospitality, retail, construction and manufacturing injuries. They commonly affect the hands, backs, shoulders, heads and eyes.
Many of these injuries could be prevented if young workers were given proper job training and safety equipment. Unfortunately, many employers view summer workers as temporary and don’t want to take the time to implement safety measures because the workers are there for such a short amount of time.
According to the numbers, in the first six months workers under the age of 25 are two to three times more at risk for an injury than an older worker. Young workers should make a point to ask prospective employers if they have a good worker’s safety program in play. If you are injured on the job, you want to talk with a professional attorney about your options.
If you were seriously injured due to a workplace injury, you may have the right to seek worker’s compensation. You will want to talk with a New York worker’s compensation lawyer about your rights as a summer worker in your respective industry. At Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman, we are here to help you through difficult injuries and make sure you get the compensation that you are entitled to under law. Call today to get more information!