Does heat stress injuries on the job qualify for workers’ compensation benefits?
Working outside has a few perks such as being able to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. While you might prefer being outdoors rather than in an office, there are some things to watch out for regarding your health. Frostbite, hypothermia and heat-related illnesses are all possible for people who work outside, whether you work outside full-time or briefly step out for a conference call.
Georgia tends to have fairly mild winter weather, yet the summer can reach scorching temperatures which can become unsafe. If your body temperature gets too high, you can begin to suffer from several serious health conditions.
Employers in Georgia are responsible for keeping their employees safe from weather-related injuries. If they don’t, their employees are entitled to workers’ comp benefits.
If you suffered heat stroke or any other serious weather-related injury at work in Metro Atlanta, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Augusta work injury attorneys to learn about your legal rights.
Which workers are at greater risk for heat stress and other weather-related injuries?
Anyone who works outside is potentially at risk for weather-related injuries. People who engage in heavy physical exertion are at a higher risk due to the extreme stress that they already put their bodies under. Construction workers, roofers and landscaping professionals are just a few of the many types of employees that need to watch out for the heat in Georgia.
People who work indoors can also become overwhelmed by heat in certain conditions. For example, auto repair technicians might work in shops that have their doors open for most of the day. If there aren’t fans or a working air conditioning system, then those employees could still become overwhelmed by the heat.
Foundry workers face even tougher heat challenges, handling molten metal and furnaces in environments where temperatures soar, often with limited cooling options.
What is the most common heat-related injury for workers?
Heat-related ailments range from mild to severe. Noticing that you are experiencing mild symptoms of heat stress is a sign that you need to take immediate action. Many of the milder conditions can rapidly progress to an illness that requires hospitalization.
Below are the most common injuries workers experience in extreme heat:
- Heat rash is one of the milder injuries that you could face. You might hear this referred to as “prickly heat,” and it appears as a fine red rash on your body. In most cases, heat rash should go away once you cool off and give your skin time to heal, but it can become serious for people with certain health conditions. People with diabetes could develop skin infections if the heat rash gets out of control.
- Heat exhaustion causes you to feel sick enough that you might not be able to keep working. Dizziness, weakness and fatigue are common symptoms. You might also feel an extreme sense of thirst, which is your body trying to compensate for dehydration. Headaches and nausea are also signs that you are pushing your body too far. For heat exhaustion, workers’ compensation can help you get coverage for taking time off work to recover.
- Heat cramps are sometimes mistaken for normal muscle pain when they happen during work activities. However, you might notice that these cramps continue after your workday is through. The cramps are caused by you losing too much salt and water through heavy sweating. If you notice that they don’t go away or happen every day, then you should talk to your employer about how to stay cool in the workplace.
- Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related injury that you could face. At this point, your body can no longer keep your core temperature at a low enough level for it to function properly. You might notice that you or a coworker stops sweating and seems confused. Seizures and a loss of consciousness are signs that this illness has reached emergency levels. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a heat stroke, seek emergency care immediately. When it comes to heatstroke, workers’ compensation can help you manage the costs of your hospital care.
You can take steps to protect yourself from heat injury by avoiding sugary or alcoholic beverages that increase the risk of dehydration. In extreme heat, you should also take regular breaks that allow your body to cool off and drink plenty of water.
In the news:
Heat wave puts spotlight on worker safety at Amazon and beyond
A record-breaking heat wave that hit much of the U.S. in June 2025 has brought renewed national attention to the dangers of heat-related illness for workers—especially those in physically demanding jobs and poorly ventilated environments.
According to a report by CBS News, emergency rooms in Georgia saw a 20% spike in heat-related visits in June, and one outdoor worker in Atlanta tragically died on the job due to heat exposure. Concerns extend beyond construction and landscaping crews, with labor advocates raising alarms about warehouse and delivery workers facing extreme indoor temperatures.
CBS News reported that an Amazon worker at a fulfillment center in Florida was reportedly made to unload heavy freight inside a trailer where temperatures soared to 112 degrees and water stations were malfunctioning.
Amazon disputed the account, pointing to climate control systems, hydration policies, and recent investments in employee safety, but questions about working conditions persist.
Despite these developments, there is still no federal heat safety standard in place. OSHA’s proposed rule—introduced in 2024—would require employers to provide drinking water and mandatory rest breaks as the heat index rises, but it remains under review as of summer 2025.
Unfortunately, without a nationwide mandate, protections for workers continue to vary widely by employer and state.
What responsibilities do employers have to protect workers from heat illness?
Under OSHA heat guidelines, employers should take reasonable and proactive steps to protect employees from heat-related illnesses. This is especially important in hot climates like Georgia. At a minimum, employers should provide:
- Water. Workers should have ready access to cool, clean drinking water throughout their shifts. OSHA recommends that workers drink at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if they’re not thirsty. For tasks lasting longer than 2 hours, employers should also offer electrolyte-replacing beverages, as sweating causes a loss of salt and minerals that water alone cannot restore. Fluids must be easily accessible, located near the worksite, and available in quantities sufficient to last the entire shift.
- Rest. Employers must schedule regular rest breaks, with the frequency and duration increasing as the heat index rises. Rest breaks should be long enough to allow workers to cool down and must take place in a cooler environment to be effective. Skipping breaks in extreme heat is unsafe, so employers are responsible for ensuring that workers take them.
- Shade. Employees need a cool or shaded area where they can take breaks and recover from the heat. This can be a shaded outdoor space, air-conditioned room or vehicle, or a tented area with fans or misting devices. The goal is to help workers lower their core temperature before resuming physical activity.
Additionally, jobs involving heavy clothing or protective gear may require more frequent breaks and hydration to offset increased heat stress.
The reality is that your body temperature only needs to rise by 2 degrees for you to start feeling the effects of heat stress. While drinking water and taking breaks can help reduce the risk, heat-related injuries at work can happen even when precautions are taken.
Fortunately, employers have responsibilities to injured workers under Georgia law, including providing workers’ comp benefits to most employees.
Does workers’ comp cover heat-related injuries in Georgia?
Yes. In Georgia, most employers are legally required to purchase workers’ comp insurance for their employees. This insurance covers work-related injuries and occupational illnesses, including heat-related injuries, as long as the employee suffered the injury at work while performing their work duties.
Covered benefits under workers’ comp can include:
- Medical benefits, including authorized doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and necessary therapies
- Wage replacement benefits if you miss more than 7 days of work
- Permanent disability benefits if your injury leads to lasting impairment
- Death benefits to certain dependants if a worker dies from their injury
To qualify for these benefits, you must take several important steps, including reporting your injury to your employer within 30 days and getting treatment from a doctor approved by your employer or their insurance company.
You must also file a formal claim by submitting Form WC-14 to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation within 1 year of the injury.
While heat-related illnesses like heatstroke or heat exhaustion should be covered under workers’ compensation, insurance companies sometimes try to argue that your symptoms were caused by a pre-existing condition rather than your job duties.
If your workers’ comp claim is denied, don’t give up. A local Georgia work injury attorney can help you challenge the denial and protect your right to full benefits.
Were you injured working in extreme heat in Georgia? We can help!
If you’ve suffered a heat-related injury on the job in Athens, LaGrange, Pendergrass, or anywhere else in Georgia, don’t leave your health or your compensation to chance. The skilled Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys at Gerber & Elkins have over 100 years of combined experience fighting for injured workers across Georgia.
We know how to push back when insurers try to deny valid claims—and we’re ready to help you get the benefits you deserve. Contact Gerber & Elkins today to schedule a free consultation.
