Summer Injuries for NY Tradespeople: Falls, Heat, and Overexertion

Summer in New York brings longer hours and more time working outdoors for tradespeople across the state. Unfortunately, the added workload exposes you to common safety risks that spike this time of year. Whether you’re fixing a roof or doing landscaping, heat, falls, and overexertion are the most common ways summer can affect you at work. Knowing how each one impacts a workers’ comp claim can make a huge difference in your claim’s outcome.

Workplace Falls

A slip-and-fall from a ladder, roof, wet floor, or elevated platform is a leading cause of serious injury across industries. In fact, an OSHA study from 2021 found that 22% of workplace injuries in NYC were due to falls.  For electricians, roofers, and other tradespeople, the daily risk is much higher.

If you fall at work, what happens in the next few minutes matters almost as much as the accident itself. Here’s what you need to do:

• Note the exact height and surface you fell from
• Take photos of the area, including any missing guardrails or broken equipment
• Take down the names of anyone who saw it happen
• Report it to your supervisor the same day if possible

New York gives you up to 30 days to report an injury, but insurers look for gaps between the accident and the report. The sooner you tell your supervisor, the harder it is to dispute.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are trickier to claim than a fall. This is largely because insurance companies can try to claim it’s “the weather” instead of the job. A few common symptoms to watch out for include:

• Heavy (or no) sweating
• Dizziness or confusion
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps

While these symptoms seem mild at first, don’t ignore them. Find medical help that same day and make sure it’s documented as a work accident. Taking action early goes a long way in making sure your claim gets taken seriously.

Overexertion and Repetitive Stress

Overexertion injuries and repetitive stress injuries build up over weeks or months. These occur due to heavy lifting, awkward positions, or repetitive motion.

The difficult part with these types of injuries is the lack of a clean “date of injury” to point to. That doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it does mean you need to keep track of it on your own. Keep a simple diary of symptoms, speak to your doctor, and note any differences in your workload.

Many of the claims have a higher rate of rejection due to a lack of evidence, so building detailed evidence of your condition is the best way to avoid delays.

Protect Yourself This Season

Summer workplace risks are always going to be there, no matter what trade you’re in. But how you respond after an injury can impact your claim’s outcome. If you’ve been hurt on the job, don’t wait to get answers or try to go through this process alone. Our New York workers’ compensation lawyers can help you build a strong claim and protect your rights. Contact us online or at 855-208-7783 to schedule a free consultation today.