The workplace and the effects on workers usually are not the first topics to come to mind when people discuss climate change. But the harsh reality is that extreme weather and climate change can have an effect on every facet of our lives, including our places of employment.
More severe storms are occurring, people are getting new, hard-to-treat diseases, and agricultural workers are unable to endure scorching temperatures long enough to finish their job duties as a result of the planet’s ongoing heating. As a result, more workers’ compensation claims are being made, a trend that is expected to keep increasing. Contact Law Office of Brian P. Azemika for information about the impact of climate change on personal injury claims.
How do climate-related disasters impact personal injury claims?
1. Extreme weather conditions and personal injuries
Hurricanes, floods, heat waves, and wildfires are among the extreme weather events that are rising in number due to climate change. Personal injury claims, which can involve injuries received during the incident or those caused by evacuation or cleanup operations, may rise as an outcome of such occurrences.
2. Infrastructure failures
Catastrophic failures often come from climate change, which exposes the weaknesses of current infrastructure. A bridge collapse carried on by severe flooding or a power outage during a heat wave are just two kinds of situations that can lead to severe personal injury lawsuits.
3. Occupational Risks
Construction and agriculture are two sectors that are especially exposed to the impacts of climate change.
4. Liability questions
Liability issues may begin to surface as the consequences of climate change become more evident and predictable. Could a business or municipality be held liable for injuries caused by climate change-related disasters if they fail to prepare for them adequately?
Negligence and Climate Change-Related Injuries
While some weather-related incidents may be caused solely by nature, human error often adds significantly to the damage and injuries suffered. For example, property owners may be responsible for accidents brought on by objects falling or slick surfaces if they neglect to safeguard their property during severe weather conditions appropriately. Employers may also be held liable for heat-related injuries if they neglect to provide workers in extremely hot conditions with proper protection.
Personal Injury, Product Liability, and Climate Change
Product liability claims, an element of personal injury law, may also arise as a result of climate change. Extreme weather can cause physical injury if products are created or designed without considering the changing climate. If it can be shown that manufacturers did not sufficiently account for and adjust to changing climates in their product designs and testing, they may be held responsible.
How is climate change contributing to new outbreaks of difficult-to-treat diseases?
In addition, climate change exposes workers to new forms of diseases that are challenging to cure. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that over 41 million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases, commonly known as chronic diseases, some of which are related to climate change. Because “it threatens the vital components of a healthy life – fresh air, clean water to drink, a nourishing food supply, and safe shelter,” climate change causes a rise in cases of diseases that are hard to treat. Here are some examples:
- Heat waves: Extreme heat is causing dengue fever, West Nile virus, Lyme illness, strokes, cardiovascular problems, and extreme exhaustion.
- Wildfires: Major injuries and conditions, such as burns, electrical injuries, exhaustion, heart diseases, respiratory problems, and mental illnesses, are caused by massive fires.
- Air pollution: Heart disease, asthma, lung disease, and chronic bronchitis are all caused by air pollution.
The Value of a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer
A skilled and experienced lawyer is a necessity in the changing fields of personal injury and climate change law. These conflicts may involve complex liability problems and require careful research and evidence collection.
A lawyer may also help in resisting attempts to reject climate-related personal harm claims as “Acts of God,” which are usually immune from damages. Although extreme weather events may be natural, human carelessness is to blame for many of the injuries they cause.
