Can I Get Workers’ Comp for a Weather-Related Injury?

A roofer suffers frostbite after working through a Wisconsin cold snap. A delivery driver slips on an icy loading dock. A construction worker collapses from heat exhaustion during a summer heat wave. These weather-related workplace injuries can be serious, costly, and, in many cases, are covered by workers’ compensation. 

Wisconsin workers face some of the most challenging weather conditions in the country. From icy winters and heavy snowfall to hot, humid summer days, weather can create hazards on the job. 

Employers cannot avoid responsibility because the weather contributed to an on-the-job injury. When workplace conditions expose employees to dangerous heat, cold, snow, ice, or other environmental dangers, workers’ comp for a weather-related injury may be available. 

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Weather-Related Injuries?

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means employees may be eligible for benefits regardless of who caused the injury.

If your job required you to work outdoors or exposed you to hazardous weather conditions, a weather-related injury may qualify for workers’ compensation coverage. 

Workers’ compensation may also cover illnesses and medical conditions that develop gradually due to repeated exposure to extreme heat, cold, or other hazardous weather conditions in the workplace.

Depending on the circumstances, available benefits may include medical treatment, wage-loss benefits for missed work, vocational rehabilitation, and disability benefits for permanent impairments.

Occupations Most at Risk for Weather-Related Workplace Injuries in Wisconsin 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 32.9% of U.S. workers were regularly exposed to outdoor conditions as part of their jobs in 2022. 

This exposure is particularly relevant in Wisconsin, where construction, agriculture, transportation, and utility workers perform essential job duties despite extreme heat, freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. 

Employees affected by weather-related workplace injuries include:

• Construction workers
• Roofers
• Delivery drivers
• Utility workers
• Landscapers
• Agricultural workers
• First responders
• Road crews
• Warehouse employees working in poorly climate-controlled facilities

Because these workers spend extended periods outdoors or in harsh environments, they may face increased risks of both cold- and heat-related work injuries.

Common Cold Weather Work Injuries

Wisconsin winters can be unforgiving. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, wind, snow, and ice can cause serious health problems and injuries.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to exposure to extreme cold. Affected areas include fingers, toes, ears, and the nose. Severe cases can result in permanent tissue damage, nerve injuries, and even amputation.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia develops when the body’s core temperature drops below normal levels. Symptoms may include:

• Shivering
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination

Without prompt medical treatment, hypothermia can become life-threatening.

Trench Foot

Workers exposed to cold, wet conditions for extended periods may develop trench foot, a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. If untreated, it can lead to infections and long-term complications.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain significantly increase the risk of falls. Slip-and-fall accidents can cause:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Back injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries

Even a seemingly minor fall can result in significant medical expenses and time away from work.

Common Heat-Related Work Injuries

Extreme heat is becoming an increasing concern in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that temperatures above 90 degrees for two or more consecutive days constitute extreme heat, and climate projections indicate that Wisconsin may experience more extreme heat days in the coming decades. 

Heat-related illnesses (HRI) are a growing occupational health concern in Wisconsin, with workers in construction, manufacturing, waste management, and public-sector jobs experiencing some of the highest rates of heat-related workers’ compensation claims. 

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body struggles to regulate its temperature due to prolonged exposure to heat. Symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Headaches

Without treatment, heat exhaustion can progress into a more serious condition.

Dehydration

Employees who work outdoors or in hot environments may lose fluid through sweating. Dehydration can impair judgment, reduce coordination, and increase the likelihood of workplace accidents.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature.

Symptoms may include:

• High body temperature
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage and may be fatal if immediate medical care is not provided.

What Should You Do After a Weather-Related Workplace Injury?

If you suffer a weather-related injury while working, taking the right steps can help protect both your health and your workers’ compensation claim.

Consider:

• Reporting the injury to your employer as soon as possible
• Seeking medical treatment immediately
• Following all medical recommendations
• Documenting weather conditions and workplace circumstances
• Collecting the names and contact information of any co-workers who witnessed the incident 
• Keeping records of medical bills, treatment, and missed work

Wisconsin employees should report workplace injuries to their employer within 30 days. This includes weather-related workers’ comp claims in Wisconsin arising from exposure to extreme heat, cold, storms, or other hazardous weather conditions. 

Although Wisconsin law provides deadlines for pursuing workers’ compensation claims, employees should report injuries as soon as possible. Delayed reporting can make it more difficult to document the injury and establish its connection to employment. 

Can a Workers’ Compensation Claim Be Denied?

Sometimes employers or insurance carriers dispute whether a weather-related injury was work-related. For example, they may argue that the injury occurred during a personal activity rather than while performing job duties, or that the worker was not acting within the scope of employment at the time of the incident. 

These disputes can become complicated when injuries develop gradually, such as cold stress, dehydration, or repetitive exposure to extreme temperatures.

If your claim is denied or benefits are delayed, speaking with a Wisconsin workers’ compensation lawyer can help you protect your rights.

Get Workers’ Comp Help from Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers

Weather-related injuries are often dismissed as an unavoidable part of working outdoors. However, when your job exposes you to dangerous heat, freezing temperatures, snow, ice, or other hazardous conditions, the consequences can be severe. 

The good news is that workers’ compensation benefits may be available when a weather-related injury arises out of your employment. Whether your injury occurred suddenly or developed over time through repeated exposure to extreme conditions, you have the right to recover benefits for medical care, lost wages, and other covered losses.

If you were injured while performing your job duties, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can evaluate your circumstances, explain your options, and help you pursue the benefits you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about your rights under Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation system.