Summer is here, and with the warm weather comes an increased risk for suffering an injury at work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, work injuries peak during June, July and August, and on average, more than 3,300 workers suffer an injury on the job every single day in the month of June. So why are these months so dangerous for work injuries? We explain why and talk about your compensation options in today’s blog.
Work Injuries During The Summer
As you might have guessed, the summer heat is one of the biggest reasons why injuries peak during June, July and August. Many people who work outside are subjected to high temperatures during this time of year, and when you’re working hard and wearing heavy gear it doesn’t take much for your body to become overheated. Some of the more common heat-related work injuries for landscapers, construction workers and roofers include:
- Heat stroke
- Dehydration
- Falls from heat-related loss of consciousness
- Heat cramps
These are just a small sample size of heat-related injuries, because there’s so many different ways the temperatures can factor into a work injury. The heat can fog up your safety glasses, cause sweaty palms and a loose grip on machinery, or they can cause dizzy spells that can be problematic if you’re working from a great height or on a piece of heavy equipment. The good news is that all of these types of injuries are compensable under Minnesota workers’ compensation law. We’ll gladly help you get the compensation you deserve, but ideally you, your co-workers and your boss will work together to create a safety plan to help keep you safe during the hot summer stretch.
However, the heat isn’t the only factor that contributes to work injuries during the summer. Another aspect we touched on last week was the increased risk of car accidents during the summer. With more people on the road and faster speeds due to ideal road conditions, it should come as no surprise that there’s also an uptick in injuries in the transportation industry during the summer months. Construction and utility workers who are working on the roads also need to be aware of the increased vehicular presence on the road, and drivers need to be aware of their surroundings when traversing through construction zones.
June is one of the most dangerous months for many workers, so take extra safety precautions and make sure you’re staying hydrated. In the event that an injury occurs, make sure you report it to your supervisor and seek medical attention. Once you’ve completed those steps, reach out to an experienced injury law firm like Hey Workers. We’ve helped collect compensation for countless workers who have suffered heat-related injuries, and we know how the long-lasting effects of some of these injuries can factor into your compensation award. Trust us to get you the compensation you deserve while you focus on getting healthy. For more information or help with any part of your injury claim, give Hey Workers a call today at (844) 439-9675.
