There are quite a few jobs that can lead to injuries and the need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. In fact, most jobs have some component to them that could lead to the person performing the job getting injured and having to miss time at work due to the injury. It doesn’t matter if your job is inside or outside, if you’re lifting heavy boxes or typing long paragraphs, all jobs come with risks. Risks can vary in severity, but they often do require medical attention and can lead to time away from your employer.
This time of year there are certain workers who are at greater risk of more severe and long-lasting injuries. Those workers who go to work outdoors can be at a significant risk of injury due to their working environment. The cold weather that they must work in adds a new layer of risk to their jobs that doesn’t otherwise exist in the months of the year when temperatures are more moderate. The cold weather, which in our area lasts through March usually, can put a worker who is spending her/his full day out in it, can put these workers in significant danger of temporary or permanent injury that may end up putting them out of work.
While the vast majority of workers who do have to work outside during the frigid winter months can perform the duties of their jobs with little more then just some frigid fingertips by the end of their day, there are some people who perform roles that actually experience injuries that go well beyond the nagging cold hands or feet and can lead to possible dangerous situations including things like amputation in serious situations. Some of the injuries that can occur as the result of working outside in the bitter cold include, but are not limited to, the following;
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Frostbite. This is a severe injury that if left untreated or unaddressed for long periods of time could actually lead to the amputation of extremities like fingers or toes. You can tell if you’re at risk of getting frostbite when your skin begins to turn white or pale and your extremities begin to feel numb or tingling. If these are the conditions you find yourself in you should immediately get inside and warm up. If you are not able to shake the feelings that you are left with by warming up, you should seek medical attention immediately. Do not work through these issues because you will be putting yourself at permanent risk of getting injured.
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Hypothermia. You may not often think about hypothermia when it comes to workers who are outside for most of their day, but this is a serious issue that if left untreated could lead to the death of a worker. If you begin to shiver, feel fatigue or experience severe weakness, you should be seen by a medical provider. Hypothermia should not be taken lightly and can lead to slurred speech, confusion and even death. The definition of hypothermia is when your body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, you can be at risk of these injuries.
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Trench foot. Often during the winter months not only are you battling the cold weather, but you’re also working in wet conditions which can be significant to your health and well being. Trench foot occurs when your body is exposed to cold and wet conditions for a significant amount of time. You will know that you are experiencing this issue when you feel swelling, blisters or significant pain. Trench foot can lead to serious illnesses like gangrene and leave you out of work for an extended period of time.
The cold weather can be very difficult to work in leaving your extremities and in some cases your whole body in a state of shock that can lead to injuries. In the course of your work, if you become injured you may need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim so that you are compensated for any injury and time away from the job site.
Our attorneys are board certified workers’ compensation attorneys and they are always great to have on your side when you need to file a claim. Contact our office and share your situation and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you about how they can help protect your long-term interests.
