Ohio Workers Compensation Lawyer Assisting Employees with Winter Work Injuries in Cleveland
Workplace injuries can occur regardless of the weather outside, and accidents on the job can result in serious and life-threatening injuries. Yet when it comes to certain kinds of worksite accidents and injuries, cold weather can make the possibility of an injury more likely. According to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, cold weather can increase the likelihood of certain accidents, injuries, and illnesses on the job. If you sustained a cold-weather injury at work, or if you developed an illness resulting from exposure to low temperatures, it is critical to seek advice from an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about filing a claim for financial compensation. I can discuss the Ohio workers’ compensation process with you today and can help you seek the financial compensation you need to cover your medical bills and lost wages.
Why Do Work Injuries Happen in the Winter?
Cold, stress, exposure, and slip and fall risks all contribute to a higher rate of certain types of workplace injuries in winter and colder months more generally. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have specific cold-weather working condition standards, OSHA does require employers to protect workers from injury risks at the workplace, including those caused by cold temperatures.
Common Cold-Weather Work Injuries
Some types of workplace injuries and diseases are much more common than others during wintertime, especially for employees who must perform their job duties outdoors, potentially exposed to the elements. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that even employees who work mostly or entirely indoors can also be subject to certain types of injury risks during the winter, particular slip and fall risks on icy stairs or walkways, or slick indoor floors caused by melting snow from boots or umbrellas.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the following as common cold-weather injuries at work:
- Slips and falls;
- Chilblains;
- Trench foot;
- Frostbite; and
- Hypothermia.
How Can I Seek Compensation for a Cold-Weather Work Injury?
You can seek compensation for a cold-weather workplace injury by filing a workers’ compensation claim through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The BWC will require you to submit a claim, and to provide medical documentation of your workplace injury or illness in order to be eligible for compensation.
I can assist you with every step of the workers’ compensation claim process, from filing the initial claim and seeking medical records to appealing a denial of benefits.
Contact Me for Assistance with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Sustaining an injury at work at any time of the year can be devastating, and it is important to seek the financial compensation you need. Yet you should also know that certain types of workplace injuries may be more common in colder months, and it is critical to do what you can to stay safe. If you do sustain a winter work injury on the job, I want to make sure I do everything possible to get you the financial compensation you deserve. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Give me a call today at 877.944.4373 for more information about workers’ compensation claims and how an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney can assist you with your claim.