Summertime is a time for being outdoors and enjoying the summer weather with friends and family. While one may enjoy the heat outside, the heat can be uncomfortable and dangerous inside if the space is not climate controlled. An un-airconditioned warehouse in Texas was excessively warm and may have contributed to the death of an employee recently in a possible premises liability case.
The man was a 34-year-old with a history of heart disease and diabetes. The coroner's report indicated that he died of heart disease. The family initially accepted that the death had been a tragic accident until they found out that he had not felt well prior to collapsing and had requested to leave. His supervisor denied the request and stated it was because the facility was behind.
The family has stated that their son had his diabetes under control and he was not required to take insulin. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration report, the cardiac event that resulted in his death could have been caused by heat stroke. The temperature inside the warehouse at the time of the incident was said to have been in the 80s. There had been prior reports of heat related ailments at the facility.
Excessive heat can be hazardous to one's health and physical exertion can increase the risk of a heat-related injury or worse. Frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off are necessary to protect one's health. If a person in Texas believes he or she has been exposed to excessive heat in the workplace a consultation with a professional can provide guidance on whether one has a potential premises liability case.