Employees who work both outdoors and indoors face an increased risk of heat-related work injuries in Maryland. Excessive heat can cause life-threatening medical conditions that can be disabling and even fatal. Labor statistics from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show more than 33,800 workers suffered heat-related injuries and illnesses severe enough to require time away from work over a recent nine-year period.
In Maryland, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer a heat injury on the job. Knowing your rights before filing a claim can help avoid common missteps that can lead to delays and dismissals.
Who Is Most at Risk for Workplace Heat Injuries?
Exposure to hazardous heat can happen across a wide range of job industries, such as:
- Construction
- Landscaping
- Farming
- Agriculture and forestry
- Roofing
- Painting
- Utilities
- Firefighting
- Manufacturing
- Maritime
- Mining, oil, and gas extraction
- Recreation and amusement
- Hospitality and food services
- Transportation
- Wholesale and retail trade
New employees, older workers, and employees returning after time away from the job may also face a higher risk of heat-related illness because their bodies may not yet be fully acclimated to working in high temperatures. Without time to gradually adjust to hot environments, workers can become dehydrated or overheated more quickly, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other serious medical complications. This is especially true during Maryland’s hot and humid summer months.
Common Heat-Related Injuries and Symptoms
Heat-related work injuries can range from mild discomfort to medical emergencies, such as:
- Heat rash
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat syncope, or fainting
- Heat stroke
- Dehydration
- Kidney strain or kidney damage linked to prolonged heat exposure
- Burns from hot surfaces, steam, or heated equipment
- Falls or other injuries caused by dizziness, weakness, or loss of consciousness
A worker experiencing heat-related illness or injury may notice initial symptoms like thirst, heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, or muscle cramps. As their condition worsens, they may feel confused, faint, stop sweating, or develop a rapid pulse.
What to Do After a Heat-Related Work Injury
If you experience any severe or unusual symptoms that appear during or after work in hot conditions, take them seriously. You should:
- Move to a cooler area.
- Stop strenuous activity.
- Drink water if you’re alert.
- Seek medical care if your symptoms are serious or don’t improve quickly.
You should also report the injury to a supervisor as soon as possible and explain when, where, and how your symptoms developed. Maryland law gives you 10 days to notify your employer of a workplace injury and 60 days to file a claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. Missing any deadline could result in a loss of benefits, so acting quickly is important.
Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Maryland?
Yes, workers’ compensation in Maryland provides medical and wage-replacement benefits to eligible employees who suffer job-related injuries. This includes heat injuries. However, these claims are often subject to scrutiny by workers’ compensation insurance companies.
For an injury to be compensable under state law, it must occur while the employee performed duties in the “scope and course of employment.” This means the injury must arise out of and occur during the employee’s job duties. However, some heat-related conditions, such as heat stroke, may not manifest symptoms until after the workday ends. In these situations, an insurer may seize upon the course and scope rule to argue that an employee’s injury didn’t stem from work and was due to a personal health condition or some other cause. In these disputes, a workplace injury lawyer can gather additional evidence to support a strong Maryland work injury claim.
Speak With a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Trollinger Law LLC is a respected workers’ compensation law firm serving Maryland and the D.C. Metro area. Our legal team has helped injured employees navigate insurance disputes and obtain the workers’ compensation benefits available to them under state law for years. If you suffered a heat-related injury at work, call or contact us today to learn your legal rights in a free consultation.
