Do Weather-Related Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Whether your work tests your limits in the warmer months or the colder months of the year, you may be concerned about weather-related work injuries. The good news is that you can generally receive workers’ compensation benefits for these types of injuries.

If you’ve suffered a workplace injury and you’re not sure how to get the compensation you’re owed, we’re here to help. Call Thiry & Caddell at 251-478-8880 to schedule a consultation now.

Jobs That Put You at Risk of Weather-Related Injuries

Jobs that require an extraordinary amount of outdoor time or outdoor intensive labor often see weather-related injuries spike in extreme temperatures. These jobs include:

• Construction workers and general contractors
• First responders
• Utility workers and service installation professionals
• Agricultural workers

Some are only at risk of illness or injury in specific types of inclement weather. For example, delivery drivers are at risk of snow-related accidents in winter but are unlikely to be at risk on hot days. Those who manage snow and ice removal may suffer frostbite or other injuries as a result of their work.

Types of Weather-Related Injuries

Understanding different weather-related illnesses and injuries can help you protect yourself during inclement weather. If your most dangerous work times are in winter, some of the illnesses or injuries you may face include:

• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Immersion foot

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to detect these issues early, especially if you are working hard and keeping your heart rate up. By the time you realize that your feet are going numb, your skin is starting to turn blue, or your breathing is becoming shallow, you may already be so ill that you need medical intervention. It’s crucial to be aware of the dangers you face during winter work, stay vigilant and use the proper gear for the weather you are in, and be aware of any changes in your body’s functioning.

The heat also presents its own unique risks to those who work outdoors or in large crowds. Heat-related diagnoses include:

• Sunburn
• Heat rash
• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke

Sunburn and heat rash vary quite a bit in severity. While a mild sunburn caused by an hour or two in the sun may go away in a matter of days, severe sunburn can cause so much pain that victims are left temporarily immobile. Similarly, heat rash primarily affects areas of the body where heat accumulates, including the neck, groin, chest, and elbow creases. With baby powder and a break from the heat, heat rash typically goes away on its own.

The last three items on this list are different types of heat illnesses, listed from least severe to most severe. Heat cramps can often be treated with a break from the heat, plenty of electrolytes, and limited physical activity until cramps pass. However, heat stroke is a medical emergency and 911 must be called immediately.

Seeking Workers’ Compensation for Your Injuries

The good news is that weather-related injuries are typically covered by workers’ compensation. Employees often believe that they have to prove their employer did something wrong for them to seek benefits. However, workers’ compensation is a system designed to allow employees to get compensation without proving any wrongdoing. You simply must show that your injury or illness happened at work.

This is why it’s important to report injuries and illnesses right away. If you get heat exhaustion at work and go home to sleep it off, only to realize that it’s far more serious than expected, you may have a hard time getting workers’ compensation to cover it once you’ve already left work.

Since some weather-related injuries are exacerbated by other conditions, you may run into workers’ compensation insurance providers arguing that your injury is the result of a preexisting condition. If your claim for a weather-related injury is denied, it’s important to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney and discuss your legal options.

Find Out How Thiry & Caddell Can Help You

If you’ve suffered an injury because of the heat or cold, find out how you can get the workers’ compensation benefits you are owed. Set up a consultation with our team now by calling us at 251-478-8880 or getting in touch with us online.