Summer temperatures in Pennsylvania and New Jersey can create dangerous working conditions, especially for employees who spend long hours outdoors or in hot indoor environments. Recently, our area has seen record-breaking temperatures. Construction workers, landscapers, roofers, warehouse employees, delivery drivers, agricultural workers, and factory employees all face an increased risk of heat-related workplace injuries.
If you become sick from extreme heat while performing your job, you may be entitled to Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation benefits. Understanding how to protect yourself—and knowing your legal rights if you suffer a heat-related illness—can make all the difference.
Working in high temperatures places significant stress on the body. When your body cannot cool itself fast enough, you can develop serious heat-related illnesses that may require medical treatment or even hospitalization.
Common heat-related illnesses include:
Heat stroke is particularly dangerous and is considered a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, it can result in permanent injury or even death.
Workers should immediately report symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience:
Ignoring these warning signs can allow a manageable condition to become life-threatening.
Employers and employees both play an important role in preventing heat-related illnesses.
Hydration is one of the best defenses against heat illness. Drink water regularly throughout your shift—even before you feel thirsty.
Whenever possible, spend time in shaded or air-conditioned locations to allow your body to recover from prolonged heat exposure.
Lightweight, breathable, and light-colored clothing can help your body stay cooler. If protective equipment is required, be aware that it may increase your risk of overheating.
Workers returning from vacation, recovering from illness, or starting a new physically demanding job should gradually increase their workload over several days to allow their bodies to acclimate.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly. If a co-worker appears confused, dizzy, or unusually fatigued, encourage them to stop working and seek medical assistance immediately.
No deadline or job assignment is worth risking your health. Reporting symptoms early may prevent a medical emergency.
Yes. In many situations, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses may qualify for Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation benefits if they arise during the course and scope of your employment.
Examples include:
Every Workers’ Compensation claim is different. Whether benefits are available depends on the facts surrounding your injury, the medical evidence, and whether your illness is connected to your employment.
If your claim is accepted, Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation benefits may provide:
Promptly reporting your injury and obtaining medical treatment can help preserve your rights.
If you believe you have suffered a heat-related illness at work:
Is heat exhaustion considered a workplace injury in Pennsylvania?
It can be. If heat exhaustion occurs because of your work duties or workplace conditions, it may qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits.
Can I receive Workers’ Compensation if I was hospitalized for heat stroke?
Possibly. Heat stroke that occurs while performing your job may be compensable under Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation law, depending on the circumstances.
What if my employer says the weather caused my illness?
Even though extreme temperatures affect everyone, workers who become ill because of workplace conditions or job duties may still have a valid Workers’ Compensation claim.
A heat-related illness can lead to expensive medical bills, lost income, and a lengthy recovery. You should not have to shoulder those burdens alone if your injury happened while you were doing your job.
Our attorneys have extensive experience helping injured Pennsylvania workers understand their rights and pursue the Workers’ Compensation benefits they deserve. We know how insurance companies evaluate these claims, and we are committed to protecting our clients throughout the process.
If you believe you suffered heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, or another heat-related illness while working in Pennsylvania, contact Galfand Berger today. We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation, answer your questions, and determine whether you may have a Workers’ Compensation claim. Call us at 1-800-222-8792 or by email at [email protected] to learn how we can help you protect your rights and pursue the benefits you deserve. We are located in Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania.
At Galfand Berger, our personal injury attorneys have been pursuing justice for injured victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey for nearly 80 years.
