Suing For Heat-Related Injuries In Orlando

As we all know, temperatures can climb considerably in Orlando during the summer months. Many people revel in this climate. Indeed, it is probably one of the main reasons people move to Florida in the first place. However, excessive heat can also cause injuries. In some cases, it can even cause people to lose their lives. Some of these heat-related injuries are unavoidable, but others may be due to negligence and misconduct of third parties. So can you sue for heat-related injuries in Orlando?

If you’d like to receive a clear answer to this question, it makes sense to get in touch with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Each case is different, and your attorney will need to go over the specifics of your situation before they can recommend a particular course of action. If you are able to file a lawsuit, your attorney can guide you forward, represent you in court, negotiate on your behalf, and help you strive towards a positive legal outcome.

Suing Your Employer 

Florida legislators have repeatedly attempted to pass legislation that would protect its workers from heat-related injuries. These attempts have ended in failure. Carlos Guillermo Smith is a state representative from Orlando that has attempted to pass legislation that would establish safety standards for outdoor workers. These standards would be very similar to those already in place in California. Among other things, the laws would have given workers a 10-minute break every two hours when temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees.

While these laws might not have been passed, you may still have the ability to sue your employer for gross negligence. For example, perhaps your employer forbade you from going to get water during the day, or forced you to work even though you were exhibiting clear signs of heat illness.

Suing Your Landlord 

You may also have the ability to sue your landlord for heat-related injuries. A landlord has a legal obligation to provide you with a safe living environment. If temperatures reach dizzying heights, they may be held liable if they fail to act in certain ways. For example, if they become aware that an air conditioning unit has failed in an apartment building, they may be sued if they refuse to repair it and someone suffers heatstroke as a result. Sometimes, tenants are responsible for their own air-conditioning, but often these systems are built into the units, and the tenants have no control over their operation.

In 2018, a condominium in Miami was sued for significant issues with its fire sprinkler heads and defects with the ventilation. The HVAC issues allegedly caused peeling paint, water intrusion, and other problems. In the event of a heatwave, a ventilation malfunction like this could cause significant heat injuries. It is also worth mentioning that newer buildings are just as likely to suffer from these issues compared to older buildings. This is especially true for apartments near the top floors of high-rise complexes.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today 

For help with your case, reach out to the skilled Orlando personal injury attorneys at Payer Law. We know how serious heat-related injuries can be, and we can help you strive for justice. If you’re wondering whether you can file a lawsuit, book your consultation today. We’ll help you go over all of your legal options.

Source:

thecounter.org/florida-laws-fail-to-protect-farm-workers-unsafe-working-days-due-to-heat/