Teen Summer Job Injuries in Denver Metro: What Parents Should Know About Colorado Youth Work Rules and Workers’ Comp
When your child has been injured during the course of their summer job, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits just the same as anyone else. Due to the complexities of the system, your family may benefit from legal counsel from an experienced Arvada workers’ compensation attorney at The Frickey Law Firm. Injured workers under the age of 21 at the time of injury are entitled to maximum compensation. If you or your loved one was injured, Call the FRickey Law Firm today. Find out how much the insurance company should be paying you. The call is free.
Colorado workers’ compensation law protects all employees in the state, regardless of their age. Nevertheless, your child may be more vulnerable to insurance company overreach due to their age and the perception that they may lack the means and ability to fight back. It is often up to you as a parent to protect their legal rights, and you can take the first step to doing so by speaking with an Arvada workers’ compensation lawyer.
As a parent, you should get involved in your child’s workers’ compensation claim to help them obtain the best possible legal result. Since you may not know how to do this on your own, call an Arvada workers’ compensation lawyer at The Frickey Law Firm at 303-237-7373 to schedule a free initial consultation.
All Eligible Employees Can Possibly Qualify for Workers’ Compensation
There are no age limitations on workers’ compensation claims in Colorado. It does not matter whether your teenager was a seasonal or year-round employee, or whether they were under the age of 18. Workers’ compensation laws exist to protect all employees who have been hurt on the job. Do not let an employer or insurance company either talk you out of availing your teenager’s legal rights or wrongfully deny benefits. Even if the insurance company has admitted for your claim, get an attorney to maximize your recovery.
Notice Requirements
Notice requirements are very strict in Colorado workers’ compensation claims. Under state law, one who has been hurt on the job has ten working days to notify their employer of their injury in writing. If one misses this deadline, they can lose one day of benefits for each day that the notice was late. However, you have 2 years to actually file a claim. Don’t wait! Your teenager may be understandably worried about informing their employer of an injury because they are afraid for their employment prospects. However, the notice requirements are the same regardless of the age of the injured worker. As difficult as it may be to speak up, they have to notify their employer of the injury. If you get hurt on the job, report it, ask to see a doctor, and call a workers compensation attorney. Don’t let the insurance company cheat you out of thousands of dollars, lawyer up. .
You Can File a Workers’ Compensation Claim on Behalf of a Teenager
Unlike personal injury cases, a teenager does not need a parent to file the workers’ compensation claim on their behalf. They are considered to be a covered employee under the law, and they can file their own claim. In practice, however, a parent should be involved in the claim because someone needs to work to protect your teenager’s legal rights. Insurance companies are far more likely to get away with pushing around a teenager legally (do not put this past them) if they do not have the help of a parent and an Arvada workers’ compensation lawyer. Accordingly, you should get involved in your teenager’s case to protect them.
Lost Wage Benefits Do Not Automatically End at the Conclusion of a Summer
Parents should take note of the fact that the lost wages component of a Colorado workers’ compensation claim is not determined by when the teenager must return to school. Your child’s benefits do not automatically cut off at the end of the summer. Instead, the lost wages element of a claim is paid so long as the teenager is not working and on restrictions from the doctor. Even if the injury persists past the time when a teenager would return to school in the fall, they can still receive lost wages if they are still under restrictions and in treatment.
Even if the lost wages element of your teenager’s claim is no longer active, workers’ compensation benefits still cover the medical costs associated with the injury. Your child may be able to work, but they may still incur medical expenses to treat the injury. Since a health insurance company may balk at paying these costs when an injury was job-related, it makes sense to continue receiving medical care that is paid for as long as possible.
Finally, if your child suffered a permanent disability due to their work-related injury, they may be eligible for long-term payments. They may negotiate a workers’ compensation settlement that could compensate them for this permanent disability in one lump sum payment. It is vital that they have representation in this process because the doctor may underestimate the extent of their injury, especially because they are paid by the insurance company. The Frickey Law Firm knows the value of these cases, we have been representing the Colorado workforce for over 60 years. Before you try and settle your workers compensation claim, find out what it’s really worth. The call is 100% free.
Contact an Arvada Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
The first step towards helping your child is scheduling a free initial consultation with an Arvada workers’ compensation attorney at The Frickey Law Firm. You can do this by visiting our website or by calling us today at 303-237-7373.
Adam M. McClure was recently selected for membership in “The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40” organization, making him one of only 40 Colorado lawyers to be awarded this honor. Mr. McClure is an exceptional litigator. He has been a key member of The Frickey Law Firm since 2003. Learn more here.