Recently a company located about and hour and half outside of Pittsburgh agreed to a settlement regarding an injury that an underage employee sustained as a result of a work accident. The $50,000 penalty J.N. Pallet Co. reportedly agreed to was in response to child labor violations. The company manufactures shipping pallets and skids made from wood.

The incident, from which the penalty stemmed, occurred when the employee, who at the time was under the age of 18, was allowed to operate a woodworking machine that was power-driven. His use of such a machine at his age was illegal. His illegal use was uncovered when an accident occurred that resulted in the teen losing some fingers while using the machine.

The settlement was approved by an administrative law judge in January.

It is highly likely that the teen involved in this accident filed a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for the injuries he sustained. This is not a lawsuit, but rather a request for benefits. To facilitate these benefits, each business in the state of Pennsylvania must purchase a workers' compensation insurance policy.

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, a variety of benefits may be available to an injured worker. In some cases, the benefits may cover lost wages and medical bills. In instances when the injury is determined to be permanent, the benefits may extend for a longer period of time.

The workers' compensation system is complex and it can be difficult to navigate. Many people do not realize the extent of the benefits to which they are entitled. For that reason it is often a good idea to consult an experienced attorney.

Source: Beaver County Times,"NW Pa. firm pays $50K for teen's amputated fingers," Associated Press, Feb. 2, 2012