Winter Conditions Contribute to Annual Rise in Job-Related Injuries
It’s winter in New Jersey, which means ice and snow. And if you work outside, it can mean a greater risk of injury on the job. But even if most of your work is inside, you might still be at risk. Statistics show that work-related injuries go up when the weather gets cold. What are the common causes of workplace injuries in the New Jersey winter? Can you seek workers’ compensation for winter work injuries?
What Are the Common Types of Winter Workplace Injuries?
Most winter workplace injuries fall into one of the following categories:
- Slips and falls—These may occur outside or inside, caused by an accumulation of snow or ice, or by wet floors when workers track in moisture.
- Hypothermia—Employees who are outside for extended periods of time, such as construction workers and delivery drivers, can be at risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
- Motor vehicle collisions—Delivery people, outside salespeople, and others are at risk of having accidents on slippery roads in the winter in New Jersey.
- Electrocutions—Ice and snow can take down and then obscure live power lines. The moisture caused by melting snow and ice can make the situation worse.
Can You Get Workers’ Comp Benefits for a Winter Workplace Injury?
Absolutely. In New Jersey, as in all states, there are only two requirements to qualify for workers’ compensation. You must show that you suffered an injury, and you must prove that the injury was work-related, i.e., sustained in the performance of your job. You can seek benefits for a slip and fall on icy steps, pavement, or other walkway, but you may also be able to get workers’ comp if your exposure to the weather causes pneumonia or other illness.
Contact the Cintron Firm
At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we offer more than 14 years of experience to people in New Jersey facing a broad array of legal challenges. Attorney Mark Cintron has worked as a prosecutor and has extensive courtroom experience, so he’s always ready, willing, and able to protect your interests before a judge or jury. Contact our office online, or call us at 201-791-1333 or 917-494-5695 to set up an appointment.
