In Texas, employers do not have to subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance. Companies must have programs to provide benefits and medical care to employees who suffer injuries.
You can file a lawsuit for personal injury without workers’ compensation insurance if your employer acts negligently. Some injuries may occur due to temperature, such as cold stress, when it comes to severe injuries.
Trench foot
Trench foot does not require you to work in freezing conditions. Instead, it occurs when you have exposure to wet and cold conditions. You can experience temperatures as high as 60 degrees and still suffer from trench foot. When working, if your feet have prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions, you can suffer from red skin, swelling, leg cramps and more. Your feet lose heat 25 times as fast when wet.
Hypothermia
If your body drops below 95 degrees, hypothermia occurs. When exposed to low temperatures for an extended period, you can lose heat faster than your body can produce heat. While most people associate hypothermia with below-freezing temperatures, it can occur at cool temperatures too. Temperatures above 40 degrees can cause hypothermia. If you work in cool, wet conditions, hypothermia becomes likely.
Signs of hypothermia include slow breathing, slurred speech and confusion. You may have difficulty moving or thinking clearly.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when your skin freezes. Frostbite leads to permanent damage and even amputation. For those who have poor blood circulation, frostbite becomes even more likely in freezing conditions.
Outdoor workers exposed to cold, wet conditions need proper clothing and gear to avoid cold stress injuries.
