Are Interns Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Working an internship can be a great opportunity for college students, young people, and others who are starting their careers to gain valuable experience in their chosen field. The benefits available to interns vary between companies — some interns are paid, some are not, and others receive additional benefits and perks.
If you are working in an internship role or are interested in pursuing an internship opportunity, you may be unsure if workers’ compensation benefits are available to you in the event that you are injured on the job. Your right to recover workers’ compensation benefits will depend on the structure of your internship position and the policies of the company where you work.
Workers’ Compensation for Paid Interns
Paid interns are generally able to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured at work. Although an intern may not be considered as a full employee of a business, by being paid, they should be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This is true regardless if an intern works full time or part time hours.
Can Unpaid Interns Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Unpaid interns may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. An intern might be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage if they are unpaid but their duties and schedule are directly controlled by you as the employer.
There is a difference between unpaid interns and volunteers. While unpaid interns may sometimes be considered employees, volunteers usually aren’t. Interns are considered to be college students or recent graduates seeking experience in a professional field.
If you are unsure of your right to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you should discuss your company’s workers’ compensation policy with your employer or manager. They may also be able to provide information on what you should do if you are injured while working. This information may be available in an employee handbook or other hiring documents as well.
For answers to all of your questions about workers’ compensation, contact a workers’ comp specialist today. A specialist can advise you on whether workers’ compensation benefits may be available to you based on the details of your internship position.
Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.