Episode 70: In this episode, Jeff Roberts discusses an annual report issued by the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims. He focuses on the Injuries to Minors section of the report. He’ll talk about the types of jobs resulting in these injuries and the fact that parents may not think about opening a workers’ comp claim. In fact, minors actively working in Kentucky are eligible for benefits if they are injured in the workplace.
Click here to view the 2021-2022 Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims Annual Report. It’s an extensive set up breakouts of the various types of injuries, the number of injuries by industry segment, overall claims statistics and much more. This was the most recent report, at the time of this recording. We expect the 2022-2023 report to be compiled and published, in the next few months.
Workers’ Compensation for Minors
This is something parents need to be made aware of in Kentucky. While the overall numbers of reported injuries and the number of claims opened for minors is relatively small compared to adults in the workforce, serious injuries can still occur. The various types of jobs minors typically have may limit the cases involving serious injuries, but there are inherent risks to any job. If your child was injured, take time to learn about workers’ compensation benefits.
Most kids tend to get their first jobs around the age of 16. However, in rural communities, many may start doing farm work at a much earlier age. That was Jeff’s personal experience growing up. His first paid job was hauling hay and setting tobacco, as a minor.
Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Program is Strong
Jeff comments that when compared to surrounding states, Kentucky’s workers’ comp laws are very beneficial to injured workers. While some benefits have been cut over the years, our program tends to be better than those offered by other states.
The medical benefits provided by Kentucky workers’ compensation should be paying all of your medical expenses related to the work injury. There are no co-pays or deductibles with workers’ comp.
Injuries by Age Group
The annual report breaks down the reported injuries by the following age groups during the reporting period:
- Age 13 – 1 injury
- Age 14 – 5 injuries
- Age 15 – 43 injuries
- Age 16 – 171 injuries
- Age 17 – 423 injuries
Jeff was surprised that a 13-year old was actively working, but assumes that might have been an agricultural-related job. Jeff remembers hauling hay at around the age of 11 or 12 years old. Interestingly, agricultural work injuries are excluded under workers’ comp. However, the farmer (or farm business) may elect to come under the Workers’ Compensation Act by purchasing workers’ comp coverage. More and more farmers are doing this because federal law requires it, if the farm is using migrant workers. The coverage would apply to both citizens and migrant workers.
Overall Claims Filed vs. the First Reports of Injury (FROI)
There seems to be an overall decline in the number of workers’ compensation claims filed, even though the data for the First Reports of Injury significantly increased. Jeff explains this difference. If a worker sustains an injury at work, he/she is required to report it (listen to Episode 23). However, not every injury will result in a claim being filed. For instance, the injury might be a minor cut or scrape. While it has to be reported, it’s typically going to be handled with a Band-Aid and no further care may be necessary.
Types of Injuries to Minors by Industrial Classification Segment
Page 17 of the report lists the various industry segments in which minors were injured. The top segment resulting in injuries to minors was jobs in the Accommodations and Food Services industries. This make sense given many first jobs are in food services such as fast food restaurants. For the period 2021-2022, there were 205 injuries to minors. These types of jobs may require lifting, working around deep fryers or griddle tops. Falls and slips resulting in back injuries or knee injuries are also common in food service jobs.
Retail Trade is the second highest injury causing segment. There were 140 injuries to minors during the reporting period. Common injuries might include tripping over something on the floor or slipping because something was spilled on the floor. If the minor is opening boxes of merchandise there’s the risk of being cut by the utility knife or scissors. There could also be back injuries from lifting heavy boxes.
In Episode 68, Jeff also discusses how workers’ comp will reimburse you for travel and mileage related to your medical treatment, tests, etc. Don’t let the assumed cost of seeing a doctor or get medical treatment stop you from seeking treatment for your minor.
Transportation and Warehousing jobs caused the 3rd highest number of injuries by industry classification. There were 115 injuries to minors. This category actually surprised Jeff by the number of injuries. You typically don’t think of kids under the age of 18 working in transportation. He suspects the warehousing jobs probably account for the majority of these injuries. Again, this could be due to lifting heavy items or some type of fall.
In the adult classification, this transportation and warehousing accounts for a large number of injuries.
For Parents
If you’re a parent and your minor child sustained an injury at work, consider seeking legal advice from an experienced, Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney. Jeff is happy to speak with you about the situation and will offer some free advice about your options.
What Do Other Clients Think About Jeff?
We always encourage listeners to read the Google Reviews Jeff Roberts has received from many of his clients. A 5-Star rating and the comments are earned recognition and demonstrate Jeff’s commitment to his clients. As a solo attorney, he has more Google Reviews than some firms with multiple attorneys. Jeff shares the credit with his staff at the Roberts Law Office. Successfully representing someone who was hurt at work is a team effort. It’s why Jeff likes to say his firm offers small town service with big city results.
Jeff Roberts Represents Injured Clients Throughout Kentucky
With offices located in Calloway County and now Christian County, Jeff has a history of representing personal injury clients, workers’ compensation clients and social security disability clients across the state. He’s represented clients from Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Covington, Whitesville and many other Kentucky locations. He’s not just a Western Kentucky injury attorney.
We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about your Childs’ Workers’ Compensation Claim?
The office phone number is (270) 753-0053 or toll free at 800-844-5108. For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice. Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky. Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson. This is an advertisement.
