Work Injuries Rise In Summer

Most years, Florida summers are stereotypically warm and sunny, creating the perfect environment for families and children to be out enjoying themselves. However, for workers whose jobs take them outside while on the clock, summer can lead to injuries that may not happen in other, cooler seasons. If you have suffered an on-the-job injury in summertime, the procedure to ensure it is handled appropriately is much the same, but the stakes may be higher.

Many Types Of Summer Injuries

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the most workplace injuries generally occur in summer (June, July, and August). The types of injuries vary, from sprains and strains, to dehydration, to open wounds like punctures, to heatstroke, but there are several reasons why accidents on the job spike during these months. One of them is that more people are generally at work – many seasonal jobs like landscaping and some construction work only have significant amounts of work in summertime, which can make injury numbers rise because there are more people putting themselves in harm’s way.

Florida in particular sees a large rise in heatstroke-related issues, given its annual summer temperatures. This is particularly true of agricultural and construction workers, who see some of the highest heat-related hospitalization rates in the country – and in addition, even non-heat-related conditions like asthma can be aggravated by extreme temperatures. While it can be difficult to link that type of condition to your work, it is very possible to show that the heat played a role.

Are Heat-Related Injuries Covered?

Injuries like fractures and punctures will generally be covered with little issue by an ethical employer, as long as it can be shown that you did in fact hurt yourself on the job. If you suffer a heat-related problem like heatstroke or dehydration, however, it may be more difficult to establish that you are entitled to workers’ compensation, because it is generally not easy to definitively show that you contracted the condition at work. Florida law holds that you must have contracted or exacerbated the condition while on the job, and given the nature of conditions like heatstroke, this is not easy.

It is generally a good idea to be aware of the possibility of heatstroke and to know its symptoms – high internal temperatures, dizziness, severe headaches, a lack of sweating despite the heat, and several others. While Florida does not have a specific law that mandates coverage of heat-related illnesses, this does not mean that they will not be covered, especially since heatstroke causes so many different symptoms. It is always worth trying to pursue compensation for your injuries, and to have an experienced attorney on your side to help.

Call An Orlando Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Summer can be dangerous for everyone, but workers who spend a lot of time outside are at higher risk. If you are in this position, it is crucial to know your options if you are harmed on the job. Heat stroke is no joke – call an Orlando workers’ compensation attorney at the Hornsby Law Group today to assess your options if you have been injured. We are ready and willing to try and assist.

Resource:

miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article220833555.html

bls.gov/osmr/research-papers/2013/pdf/st130230.pdf

https://www.hornsbylawgroup.com/workers-compensation-for-auto-accidents-in-florida/