Heat-Related Illnesses in Louisiana Workplaces – How Dangerous are They and Can You Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Your Heat-Related Workplace Injury?

As spring turns to summer and the temperatures start to rise, there is more for Louisiana workers to think about than just their regular workplace activities. Indeed, many Louisiana workers work in industries and in jobs that are impacted by the heat, and soaring temperatures can lead to serious and even fatal workplace accidents. However, Louisiana workers and their families may wonder whether heat-related illnesses and conditions can be considered when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws. In this article we discuss the dangers of heat-related workplace injuries in Louisiana, and how to get workers’ compensation benefits for your heat-related workplace injury here.

Heat-Related Workplace Injuries – How Dangerous Are They?

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, “Every year in Louisiana, thousands of people are treated in emergency departments or hospitalized due to heat. Heat exposure is intensifying as the frequency, severity, and duration of extreme heat events increases due to climate change. These changes are of concern in Louisiana because the state experiences some of the highest average summer temperatures in the nation. Louisiana’s hot summers are compounded by high humidity which worsens the impact of heat by impairing the body’s ability to cool by evaporation.” The progression of heat-related illnesses starts with heat rash, and progresses to heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting, dizziness, etc.), heat exhaustion (headache, nausea, weakness, and other symptoms, and, finally, heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that has other impacts. According to the LDH, “Heat also has indirect health impacts: it can exacerbate chronic conditions such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and kidney disease, increase injuries and accidents, and strain mental health.”

Heat-related injuries are not all-too-rare in Louisiana. According to the LDH, “On average, there were 323 work-related ED visits and 20 work-related hospitalizations for heat-related illness every year in Louisiana,” and Parishes with the highest heat-related injuries “were clustered in the northwest and central parts of the state.” It is clear from the LDH’s reports that heat-related illnesses should be taken seriously in Louisiana, and employers should provide protections for workers that are exposed to high temperatures and the heat of the sun.

Getting Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Your Heat-Related Workplace Injury

Can Louisiana workers get workers’ compensation benefits for their heat-related illnesses and injuries? The answer is yes. Under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, most workers who are injured on the job – including due to heat stroke or other heat-related injuries or illnesses – may be entitled to important workers’ compensation benefits to help them treat their injury so they can get back on their feet and back to work.

If you are in Louisiana and you need help obtaining important Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer about your case. The experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe are here to help injured Louisiana workers get workers’ compensation benefits due to them. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/lah/Statewide_Heat_Related_Illness_Report.pdf