Winter brings all kinds of outdoor activities. Some are fun, like skiing and ice skating. We get bundled up, stay out as long as we can stand it and then come in for hot chocolate and to sit by the fire.
For others, winter can make already tough jobs, like construction, highway maintenance, rescue and agriculture even harder. The cold, wind, and precipitation can hinder visibility and make working conditions treacherous.
The most commonly reported injury that occurs on the job in Winter is in fact a slip and fall. Slip and falls can occur due to slick surfaces covered with ice or water and can also occur when an obstruction is placed in an area where workers typically walk. They often occur on steps or ladders. Slip and falls are especially dangerous and frequently cause the following injuries:
- back, neck and spine injuries
- broken bones
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
- Paralysis
- Wrongful Death
Just being out in the cold without adequate clothing and gloves can cause serious injuries. Widely reported workplace injuries that occur when the temperatures drop are:
- hypothermia
- chilblains
- trench foot
- frostbite
What Should Employers Do to Keep Employees Safe
Employers should make safety practices a top priority. Scheduling work for the warmest parts of the day when possible, providing cold weather gear, ensuring that all work vehicles are in top working order and clearing all surfaces of ice and snowy debris is a good start. Safe, unharmed employees are happy and productive!
A victim that suffers a wintertime injury due to the negligence of another who is not the employer may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the suit is successfully settled or if a verdict is rendered, the victim will be compensated for lost wages, pain and suffering, incurred medical expenses, future medical expenses related to the injury, and future lost wages. Victims of personal injury should consult a personal injury attorney to discuss the potential for a viable lawsuit.
What is a FREE consultation?
Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyer Paul Thomson offers FREE consultations to victims of personal injury. During this FREE consultation, Paul will listen to your story and answer your questions about your personal injury lawsuit. Call or text (540) 777-4900 to talk with an intake specialist today to discuss your case.
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