Can You Claim Work Injury Benefits from Heat-Related Injuries Working Outside in Kentucky?
Show Your Injury or Illness Is Directly Due to the Work Tasks or Environment
You cannot file a claim for work injury benefits if the injury did not happen in the normal course of work. That is, you must show that the injuries you have are directly related to the work.
Discussing your claim with a Lexington work injury lawyer at Gary C. Johnson P.S.C. can help determine the best course of action for your situation.
Some types of heat-related injuries and illnesses that can happen at work include:
- Heat cramps: Cramping in the abdomen or legs is often a sign of too little sodium and fluids from sweating
- Heat exhaustion: This condition leads to heavy sweating, dizziness, headaches, and vomiting from heat exposure
- Heat stroke: A very dangerous and life-threatening condition, heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature reaches 10$ degrees, and often leads to confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures
- Heat syncope: Fainting from heat exposure is another common risk often associated with low blood pressure from dehydration
- Organ damage: In some situations, chronic or extreme heat exhaustion can cause organ damage, impacting your health long term.
- Mental health strain: You may be able to demonstrate that your injuries are creating mental health complications for you
In these situations, you may have suffered additional injuries as well. For example, if you fainted due to heat exhaustion and struck your head in doing so, you may be able to hold your employer responsible for your head injuries as well.
To seek workers’ compensation for your injuries, you must make the connection between the work, the heat, and your injuries. Be sure to:
- Report the injury immediately to your supervisor
- Seek medical attention
- Document all related information, including medical reports and expenses.
- Consider contacting a Worker’s Compensation Attorney in Kentucky
