What to Do If You Suffer From Heat Stroke on a Worksite

Heat stroke, also known as heat exhaustion, can occur when an individual's body overheats due to physical exertion in high temperatures. Most commonly, this occurs when the individual works outdoors without sufficient rest and water breaks for a long period of time. However, it can also occur in individuals who work in hot indoor environments, such as bakeries and boiler rooms. When the body reaches an internal temperature of 104 degrees or higher, he or she is at risk of heat stroke.

If you work outside, you could be at risk for heat stroke. Protect yourself by keeping your body cool. Hydrate sufficiently and take the time to rest in the shade. If you suffer from heat stroke at work, you can potentially seek compensation for your damages through a workplace injury claim.

The most obvious symptom of heat stroke is visual: flushed skin. If an individual appears to be turning red, look for these other symptoms of heat stroke:

• High body temperature;
• Excessively dry or moist skin, depending on the condition that caused the heat stroke. For individuals whose heat stroke is due to strenuous exercise, the skin can become moist. If the heat stroke is due to oppressive environmental heat, the skin can become dry and hot;
• Headache;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Altered state of consciousness, such as delirium, irritability, or a seizure;
• Rapid heart rate; and
• Rapid breathing.

Do all that you can to cool the body. This can mean removing excessive clothing or immersing yourself in cold water. However, do not try to treat heat stroke yourself. After taking one of these actions to stabilize yourself, get yourself to the doctor for professional medical attention.

A healthcare professional can take further actions to remedy your head stroke, such as packing your body with cooling blankets and ice packs or using evaporation techniques with cool water and fans.

Generally, heat stroke does not have long-term effects for a victim. Sometimes, individuals who suffer from heat stroke become more sensitive to high temperatures. As with other injuries, the long-term complications an individual experiences as a result of heat stroke depend on how quickly he or she received effective treatment. If the individual suffered organ damage, his or her recovery time could take up to a year or longer.

If you are facing substantial damages as a result of suffering from heatstroke due to the conditions you experienced while working, consider working with an experienced San Jose workplace accident attorney to seek compensation for your damages through a workplace injury claim. The team at Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. can answer your questions and provide you with the guidance and legal representation you need. We proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

• Heat stress