Heat can kill!
July, 2012 – the hottest month ever. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center, July was the warmest month ever recorded for the lower 48 states. It seems as if the majority of the United States has been suffering this record-breaking heat and California residents are no exception.
With the heat such a factor these days, it is important:
– to stay cool and hydrated.
– to pace yourself in all activities, so as to not get exhausted and risk suffering from heat related ailments or conditions.
– to ensure that children and the elderly are properly cared for.
The heat can cause injuries in all sorts of places:
– walkways can get slippery.
– workplaces can be unsafe, improperly ventilated or under air conditioned.
– injuries at work can include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Outdoor workers who work in heat and humidity may result in serious or even fatal injuries due to extremely high temperatures.
DID A 2-YEAR OLD DIE FROM THE HEAT?
Just a few days ago a family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a daycare facility because their 2-year-old left in a vehicle in 90-degree heat for roughly 6 hours. Incidents like this occur every single day at not only daycare facilities, but youth camps, rest homes and senior communities. If your loved one is under the care of another party, keep an extra eye out during such extreme heat for any injury they may suffer. They have a right to proper care and you are entitled to know your legal rights.
DID A SENIOR PERISH BECAUSE OF NEGLIGENCE?
In another tragic, potentially avoidable incident, a nursing home resident died. The investigators in the case do believe that the residents death was due to the heat. Apparently, relatives of the deceased visited their loved one one morning and found the nursing home incredibly hot and found no air conditioners in the residents room. If a report from the medical examiner confirms that the death was heat related, the loved ones of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
QUESTIONS? CONCERNS?
If you think your injury – or that of a loved one – was caused by the negligence, carelessness or willful act of another and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
