If your teen is looking at summer job opportunities as a camp counselor or counselor-in-training (CIT), it’s important that you – and they – understand their rights to workers’ compensation benefits if they’re injured seriously enough that they need medical care.
Certainly, you don’t want them to suffer any kind of injury. Reputable camps, whether they’re day camps or sleep-away camps, place an emphasis on safety for all attendees and employees.
Many camp injuries are preventable
According to the American Camp Association, the leading causes of camp counselor injuries include:
- Slipping and tripping hazards
- Not wearing protective gear or solid footwear
- Not maintaining equipment
- Fatigue
- Horseplay
It’s important to note that employees are typically eligible for workers’ comp benefits even if they bear some responsibility for the event that caused the injury. There are a few exceptions, like being under the influence.
“Horseplay” is generally another exception. However, when a job requires playing with children, if an employee is injured during this play, they’re typically still eligible for workers’ comp as long as they didn’t initiate or encourage unsafe behavior.
Teens need to know their rights
It’s important for parents to help ensure that their high school and college students aren’t working in day or overnight camps where the owners and managers don’t place the highest priority on safety for all. However, it’s also crucial to be sure their teens know that under California law, employees under 18 (including those who have temporary or seasonal jobs) have the same right to workers’ comp as adult workers. There are also laws regulating what kind of work young teens can do – and what kind of hours they can work.
If your teen suffers a work-related injury or illness, it’s crucial that they know their rights and that they don’t fall prey to misinformation (intentional or not) from their employers or others. Having legal guidance can help them protect their rights and get the benefits to cover medical care and a portion of lost wages that they deserve.
