Heat Exhaustion Can Lead To Personal Injury Lawsuits

Heat exhaustion can pop out of nowhere, and it hits suddenly before you even realize you are overheated. Even when the temperature outside is not extreme, you might find that working your body hard leads to exhaustion you've never experienced before.

Heat exhaustion is unlike many other injuries people associate with personal injuries. First of all, there is no physical injury, like a broken bone or cut, that provides evidence that an injury has occurred. As a result, a manager or boss might tell an employee to simply power through the exhaustion. This can be a grave error in judgment.

What Is Heat Exhaustion?

First, you should learn to notice the signs of heat exhaustion, especially if you work outside or in extreme conditions. Take special note of these signs, even if you are working outside in the fall or winter months.

One of the first signs of heat exhaustion is excessive sweating, often paired with an increased heartbeat. After a while, you may begin to feel nauseous or experience stomach pangs and diarrhea. Some people also feel a strong headache coming on with the extreme exhaustion.

Confusion, dizziness, or fainting may follow these other symptoms. Employees may become disoriented and need to sit or lie down.

Dehydration is also associated with heat exhaustion. The associated symptoms include dark urine, intense thirst, and very dry skin.

What Are the Consequences of Heat Exhaustion?

One important thing to remember is that employees who are experiencing heat exhaustion are more likely to make mistakes than others. While they are exhibiting these symptoms, they could injure themselves, other employees, and even bystanders. Many of the jobs that involve risk of heat exhaustion involve heavy equipment and lots of movement. Those who are at high risk might include people who work on farms or in construction, for instance.

What Can You Do About Heat Exhaustion?

Unfortunately, heat exhaustion may not be entirely fixable. Many vocations do not have any option for employees to work only during the cool hours of the day, and a lot of protective gear contributes to the heat. Drinking plenty of water and resting often can prevent heat exhaustion.

Personal injury attorneys understand what you are going through. While only a few states have specific laws pertaining to heat exhaustion at work, your attorney can work with you to develop a plan of action that helps you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a company like Maruca Law to learn more.


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