This summer was the third-hottest on record, and while cooler temperatures may be in the forecast, not all have escaped the heat unscathed. From simple sunburns to more serious and possibly fatal heatstroke injuries, the scorching temperatures left their mark this summer. But if you were injured in the summer heat, do you have a legal case?
Here are a few recent heat-related lawsuits, and who can be liable for heat-related injuries and illnesses.
1. Kids and Cars: 10 Safety Tips
Sadly, this summer saw its fair share of children killed after being locked in vehicles on searing hot days. And the most tragic part of these deaths is how easily avoidable they are. The best rule of thumb is to never leave a child unattended in a car and always be sure to have an accurate count of how many kids are getting in and out of a vehicle if you’re driving a few around at a time.
2. Max Gilpin School Football Death Suit Settles
While schools and coaches are getting better at educating themselves on the risks of heat-related injuries to players and implementing exercise and hydration plans to minimize that risk, there are still far too many stories of young athletes, football players in particular, who die during practices or games from heatstroke.
3. NYC Inmate ‘Baked to Death’ in Hot Jail Cell: Report
Also far too common are tales of inmates overheating in prisons and jails. While it may be harder to empathize with a convicted criminal, their treatment during incarceration must be humane, and denying them water or air conditioning during summer heat waves can violate their civil rights.
4. Can I Sue for a Heatstroke Injury?
Although those three stories are all different, they all may involve some level of civil liability. Where someone owes a duty of responsibility to another, and fails to meet that duty, the resulting injuries may be compensable, especially heat-related injuries.
5. Can I Get Worker’s Comp For Heat Stroke?
As with other injuries, heatstroke and other on-the-job heat-related injuries are treated a bit differently. Find out how.
Related Resources:
- Find Personal Injury Lawyers Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- Heat Wave Injuries, Illnesses: Who’s Liable? (FindLaw’s Injured)
- Common Construction Injury Types (FindLaw’s Learn About the Law)
Employee Safety Tips: Working Outdoors in Summer Heat (FindLaw’s Injured)
