Labor & Industries submitted an unprecedented referral against construction company Rotschy for allegedly allowing a minor to use dangerous equipment.
TUMWATER, WA – The state Department of Labor & Industries is seeking criminal charges against a southwest Washington construction company — the first time the agency has pursued felony charges over a youth labor violation — after a 16-year-old employee lost both legs on the job in 2023.
The workplace-safety enforcement agency has asked the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute Vancouver-based Rotschy Inc. after state officials concluded the company had broken youth labor laws , resulting in the permanent disability of a minor , according to a letter dated March 7, 2025 .
Bryan Templeton, L&I’s employment standards program manager, wrote in the letter that Rotschy had a history of youth labor violations and workplace injuries. He also alleged the company had allowed the teen worker to operate dangerous, prohibited machinery without supervision at the time he suffered his injuries…