Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot control its temperature. It can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
Summers in Missouri are no joke. Though the state is known for its rapid changes in temperatures, summer seasons can be quite a problem for workers who remain outdoors in the sun for long hours.
As you may know all too well, the main risk they face is heat strokes. If you’ve suffered one, then you may be wondering if you can collect workers comp benefits.
A Safe Work Environment
Your employer must ensure a safe work environment for you and your co-workers. If you have to spend many hours outside, then your employer must take certain precautions:
- Offer sufficient breaks
- Set up appropriate rest spots in the shade
- Provide enough water
- Adjusting workloads based on how hot the weather gets
But even with these precautions in place, it is still possible for workers to suffer heat stroke. Missouri law states that workers are entitled to compensation for injuries or illnesses sustained as a direct result of their work or their work environment. As such, workers who must remain outside during the summers are at risk of heat stroke, and as a result, should collect compensation benefits for it.
If you file a workers’ compensation for it, you may be required to prove the heat stroke is caused by your work, and not a condition formed by other illness you have, or activities perform when you’re off the clock. Even those sustained while on a break may be denied. If you develop a heat stroke while you left the job site, then workers compensation may be denied, because you were not on the clock at the time.
How Do You Link Your Work to Your Heat Stroke?
Heat strokes can have drastic symptoms on your health, and it’s best not to ignore them:
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Fainting
It’s recommended to reach out to a St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney at this time. Because they deal with these matters often, they know what evidence is needed to link the heat stroke to your work, and can build a compelling case for you.
Depending on your case and what you need, the lawyer may:
- Talk to your doctor and gather medical evidence of your treatment
- Discuss with your co-workers to collaborate your claim
- Collect additional information on the weather the day you had heat stroke
- Ensure your rights are protected and intervene if the insurance company tries to dismiss your case without a legal basis.
If You Have Suffered a Heat Stroke at Work
Workers that have to spend many hours in the sun are more likely to develop heat stroke. If they do, the law says they are entitled to workers compensation.
Call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann today at (314) 361-4300 to discuss your work injury case. You can also fill out our online contact form. For more than 20 years we have helped injured workers and their families receive the compensation benefits they need and deserve.