Washington youth labor laws aim to provide overlapping layers of protection for both working minors and the thousands of students participating in work-based learning programs each school year. A Cascade PBS investigation — reviewing program records, case files and interviews with those involved — found that public officials and the company disregarded or misinterpreted guidelines at multiple levels ahead of Derrik’s injury.

Rotschy, which routinely hired teenage workers amid recent labor shortages, violated the law when supervisors assigned tasks known to be dangerous and prohibited for minors to perform. The Battle Ground School District, where Derrik attended, did not conduct an initial site inspection as required by the program. The state Department of Labor & Industries and school district officials disagree on who bears responsibility for ongoing safety monitoring.

L&I later issued significant fines against Rotschy for the incident, but has for years approved special “variances” for the company to hire minors despite its history of serious safety violations. And local school officials continued to promote the company’s work program — including after Derrik’s injury.

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