Be On the Lookout for These Common Summer Injuries

For many, summertime is the best season of the year. People take their families on vacation, enjoy outdoor adventures, and soak up the sun. But it’s not all fun and games. You may be more likely to become a personal injury victim during the summer. And your risk of sustaining certain injuries also increases. 

The best way to avoid getting hurt is to familiarize yourself with the most common summer injuries and take steps to prevent them. If you find yourself the victim of personal injury, contact an attorney at WKW today to discuss your case. 

Water Injuries

Swimming and boating are quintessential summer activities. Over the warmer months, many families will head to the beach, spend time on the boat, or have a pool party. Of course, no one expects to experience a severe injury or loss of a loved one during these common activities, but unfortunately, it does happen.

Boating and Watercraft Injuries

Motorboats, jet skis, and kayaks are popular summer activities. However, boats can be as dangerous as cars and other heavy machinery. Therefore, anyone operating a boat should take steps to keep themselves and their passengers safe. Operating a boat or watercraft requires knowledge of relevant laws and safety regulations, similar to driving a car. 

You may sustain an injury if your boat collides with another object or watercraft or if your driver acts negligently. You may not realize it, but these accidents occur more frequently and often result from drivers acting irresponsibly. If another driver or boat owner acts recklessly, you may be able to file a claim against them. 

Pool Injuries

Planning to swim this summer? Whether hosting a pool party or using someone else’s pool, stay vigilant and observe water safety rules. 

Unfortunately, pool-related injuries happen more often than we would like. If you or someone you love sustains injuries at a private or public pool, contact a personal injury attorney to help you determine if the pool’s owner acted negligently. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim against the home or property owner. 

Car Accidents and Motorcycle Injuries

Did you know that car and motorcycle accidents are more likely to happen during the summer? We hear a lot about accidents that occur in snowy winter weather, but the truth is that more cars are on the road in the summer months, which correlates with more accidents.

Car accidents happen during the summer for many reasons: 

• Travelers and tourists are unfamiliar with the roads.
• School is out, so younger drivers (with less experience) are on the road more.
• More people are generally outside, including drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. 

Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are more common over the summer than at other times of the year. Outdoor workers are at the greatest risk of injury, which is exceptionally high during the summer. These high-risk jobs include: 

• Construction workers
• Line installers and repairers
• Transportation
• Tree trimmers and pruners
• Landscaping and groundskeeping work
• Agricultural workers
• Logging workers
• Recreation workers

Although the types of risks can vary depending on the job, these are some of the most common types of injuries that can occur: 

Heat Stroke

In Indiana, summer temperatures typically average in the 80s. Workers should watch for heat stroke symptoms during warmer weather.

Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. While the outdoor temperature seldom reaches this level, it can happen to individuals engaged in intense physical activity in the heat. Your body temperature may also rise more quickly if you’re in a building or vehicle that is not adequately air-conditioned. So if your job involves lifting heavy objects, moving around in the heat, or spending long periods enclosed in hot spaces, you should be especially careful. 

Some signs of heat stroke may include:

• High body temperature
• Confusion or altered mental state
• Severe symptoms, such as coma or seizures
• Headache
• Changes in the way your body sweats (such as sweating less than you usually do) 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate

If you experience these symptoms while working outside, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. 

Dehydration

Along with heat stroke, dehydration is another primary concern during summer. For people who work outside, staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to protect yourself. 

Symptoms of dehydration in adults may include: 

• Extreme thirst
• Dark urine
• Infrequent urination
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

If left untreated, dehydration could lead to mild to severe kidney problems, life-threatening heat stroke, or seizures. Therefore, anyone working outside should drink plenty of water and eat foods with high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. 

Skin Damage

In addition to heat stroke and dehydration, skin damage from the sun is another risk of working outdoors. In addition to the typical sunburn, spending long hours in the sun can lead to severe skin problems, especially throughout your career. These prolonged sun exposures may result in skin cancer, premature aging, and cellular damage. Be sure to apply sunscreen generously, wear protective clothing, and stay in the shade when possible. 

Ladder Injuries

During the summer months, workers are more frequently on ladders due to better weather, increased construction projects, and building maintenance, which may increase the probability of ladder injuries or falls.

Vehicle and Heavy Machinery Injuries

During the summer, workers may be more likely to be injured by vehicles or heavy machinery. Vehicle collisions are more likely during the summer because more cars are on the road. If you usually drive for work, you will likely encounter heavier traffic during the summer months, increasing the probability of a collision. 

Similarly, workers may use heavy machinery more often during the summer. Tractors, forklifts, dump trucks, and compactors can all cause severe injury. Depending on the type of equipment you use, the likelihood of a rollover, entrapment, or being struck by machinery can increase during the summer months. 

What Should I Do After a Workplace Injury?

If you sustain an injury at work, notify your employer and seek medical treatment immediately. Your employers’ compensation plan usually covers workplace injuries, but you must file a claim within 30 days. 

Workers’ Compensation generally covers medical bills and loss of income. But other compensation may be available depending on your injury’s circumstances. The best way to find out what damages you can receive is to contact a workplace injury attorney so that they can review your case. 

Dog Bites and Animal Attack Injuries

Animal bites can happen any time of year. But they become more frequent over the summer, possibly because people socialize more, along with their pets! In addition, pet owners spend more time walking their dogs and visiting dog parks during the summer. 

Additionally, people may be more likely to bring their pets to unfamiliar places during the summer, with more gatherings and celebrations. In a new environment, pets may feel stressed or threatened, making them more likely to bite or attack other people—even if they usually wouldn’t. 

To avoid being attacked by a pet, use caution around unfamiliar animals. For example, give a wide berth when passing by unknown dogs on the sidewalk. If you are the victim of a dog attack, call for help while fighting to get away from the animal. Seek medical care immediately, and contact your attorney as soon as possible. If the animal attack resulted from the pet owner’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages. 

Contact an Attorney

If you or a loved one have experienced an injury this summer, contact a personal injury lawyer at Wilson Kehoe Winingham today. Call us or complete an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Stay informed, stay safe, and take action today!

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