Workplace Injuries for Teens – Quick Answer
Teenagers and young workers can suffer workplace injuries in casual, part-time, apprenticeship or first-job roles. If a young worker is injured at work, the first priorities are medical treatment, reporting the incident, keeping evidence and making sure a parent, guardian or trusted adult is involved where appropriate.
Young workers should not assume they have no rights because they are casual, new to the job or under 18. Compensation options may be available depending on the circumstances.
Young workers may still have compensation rights after a workplace injury, even if they are casual, part-time or new to the job.
Young Worker Injury Checklist
- Get medical help: Record the injury and treatment early.
- Report the injury: Tell a manager, supervisor or employer.
- Tell a parent/guardian: Young workers should not deal with the issue alone.
- Keep evidence: Photos, rosters, messages and incident details can help.
- Seek advice: A lawyer can explain possible rights and next steps.
What should a teenager do after a workplace injury?
A teenager should get medical help, report the incident and keep a clear record of what happened.
The first few years of work are a learning experience. Not only are you learning how to do the job at hand but you’re learning how to communicate in a new environment and how to be seen as a responsible member of staff. In these early years, young people can often feel shy about offering ideas, raising concerns or standing their ground in challenging situations.
As a result, it is common for young workers to feel overwhelmed if they find themselves involved in an incident at work where they may need to claim compensation. Sadly, on rare occasions, employers can take advantage of a young worker’s tendency to shy away from confronting situations.
While we hope that you never require compensation due to injury, we want to help you approach the situation comfortably, should you need to.
Can young workers claim compensation after a workplace injury?
Young workers may have compensation options depending on their work arrangement and injury circumstances.
Know Your Rights
Most young people don’t speak up because they are not confident about what their rights are, both legal and ethical. Educate yourself about your rights at work and your rights to compensation. Read your employee contract, consult trusted family members or talk to legal professionals to thoroughly understand your employee agreement and your rights within the agreement.
Our workers compensation lawyers can help young workers understand what options may be available.
Everything Starts with Communication
If you are hurt on the job, raise this with someone immediately. Ideally, this will be your manager or HR manager. However, in the absence of those two options, it is better that you tell someone, including a peer at your level, to ensure that the incident can be tracked and you have others who can attest to their knowledge of its occurrence.
Once you have told someone, write it down, immediately. You may think that you would remember, but there will be many details that get lost in the days and weeks following.
Seek Representation
Dealing with these situations on your own is hard enough when you have spent a lifetime in the workforce. As a young worker facing these situations for the first time, it is a whirlwind. Often, you could be asked to speak to people – perhaps an accident investigator or HR – but you feel that they are trying to dismiss your concerns or twist the situation. To best handle this, seek representation and refer everyone to your solicitor.
Of course, it can feel intimidating to say no and refer people to your representation but it is much easier than being questioned, having your story misconstrued, or feeling as though you cannot take some control of the situation.
What evidence should young workers keep?
Useful evidence includes rosters, messages, payslips, incident reports, photos and medical records.
Why should parents or guardians be involved?
Parents or guardians can help young workers understand the process and avoid being pressured into decisions.
In all cases, don’t feel like speaking up means confrontation. Being heard is your right and if addressed politely but firmly, you should be able to confidently resolve the issue and get back to work with minimal fuss.
How can Stacks Goudkamp help young workers?
Stacks Goudkamp can advise young workers and families about potential workplace injury claims.
If you have been involved in a workplace accident and suffered an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. For more information, and to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim, please call Stacks Goudkamp on 1800 251 800 or alternatively make an online enquiry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can teenage workers claim workers compensation in NSW?
Teenage workers may be able to claim workers compensation if they are injured in the course of work, depending on the facts of the role and injury.
What should a young worker do after being injured at work?
They should seek medical treatment, report the injury, keep records and involve a parent, guardian or trusted adult where appropriate.
Does casual work affect a workplace injury claim?
Casual status does not automatically prevent a claim. The work arrangement and injury circumstances need to be assessed.
What evidence helps a young worker’s injury claim?
Helpful evidence includes rosters, payslips, text messages, photos, incident reports and medical records.
How can Stacks Goudkamp help injured young workers?
Stacks Goudkamp can explain compensation options and guide young workers and families through the next steps.
