Reasons Why Young Workers Are Most At Risk of Injury

If you were injured at work and want to pursue your workers’ comp claim, you don’t have to do it alone. The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann is here for you.

The United States workforce is brimming with young and energetic youth eager to attend to the country’s growing work demand. About 54.4% of young people in the US between the ages of 16 and 24 are employed.

Surprisingly, however, young people are more predisposed to work injuries than older people. Sure, that’s hard to believe, given that young workers are still nimble with fit bodies; but it’s true. Below, we highlight some of the common reasons young people are more at risk of work injuries.

They Tend to Be More Reckless

The first reason young people are more inclined to work injuries is that they’re young and reckless. That’s right; young people are generally inexperienced and sometimes careless. This is a dangerous combination when working in a place full of hazards and accidents waiting to happen.

Their recklessness makes them more likely to engage in risky activities during work. This is unlike older workers, who are more cautious and extra diligent with their work. Young people also lack the necessary experience to handle equipment correctly. This plays a huge part in their predisposition to equipment-related injuries.

Undeveloped Physical and Cognitive Capabilities

Workers 25 years and younger generally lack the physical and cognitive capabilities that older workers possess. Research shows that our brain fully develops when we hit our mid-20s. This can affect young workers’ effectiveness when carrying out their specific roles during work.

Improper Training and Induction

Poor training is another leading cause of workplace injuries among young workers. So employers need to train young workers on proper safety measures and protocols.

When training young workers, employers should make sure they start from scratch. Training from scratch ensures that they get up to speed with everything they need to know about workplace safety.

Lack of Proper Supervision and Mentoring

Proper supervision and mentoring are just as necessary in preventing workplace injuries among young workers. As such, employers should ensure their young workers have the adequate direction to keep them in check.

Aside from supervisors, young workers also need mentors to guide them through work activities. These mentors act as their guiding light and ensure they do everything as per the set safety standards. Lack of proper supervision and mentoring translates to frequent work accidents by young workers.

Your Safety Is in Your Hands

As a young worker, you must take the proper precautions to keep work injuries at bay. However, if you still get injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits.

The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann

If you were injured at work and want to pursue your workers’ comp claim, you don’t have to do it alone. The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann is here for you. We’ll guide you through the claim process, help you gather evidence, and ensure you get your deserved compensation. Contact us today for a free case review.