Temperatures in Las Vegas regularly hit triple digits throughout the summer. As temperatures soar, the importance of a functional air conditioner becomes undeniable. It’s not uncommon for air conditioners to break down leading to unbearable temperatures both indoors and outdoors. When that happens and someone suffers heat illness due to a broken air conditioner? In this blog, the Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys explain heat illness liability and how we can help if you’ve suffered from heat illness due to no fault of your own.
Recognizing Heat Illness
Heat illness is often underestimated. It is crucial to take heat illness seriously. Heat illness affects the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, leading to an imbalance that can become life-threatening and possibly lead to death if not treated properly. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of heat illness will help you seek the proper treatment.
There are several stages of heat illness, ranging from mild to severe. Here’s how to recognize different levels of heat illness:
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscle spasms that can occur due to excessive sweating and electrolyte imbalances.
Symptoms include:
- Muscle pain
- Muscle twitching
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Thrist
- Rapid heartbeat
- Clammy skin
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid intake. It is a milder form of heat-related illness but still requires treatment.
Symptoms include:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Cool, moist skin with goosebumps, despite the heat
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fainting
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises to a dangerous level, usually above 104 degrees. It can lead to severe complications and even death if not treated promptly.
Symptoms:
- High body temperature
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Throbbing headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Dizziness or fainting
- Red, hot, and dry skin (lack of sweating)
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Seizures
Our Las Vegas Injury Lawyers Can Determine Heat Illness Liability
Determining heat illness liability can be legally complicated depending on the circumstances and the location where you were exposed to the conditions that led to the development of the heat illness. Most often, heat illness due to the negligence of another occurs in public places, in the workplace, or rental property.
In public settings like restaurants, theaters, casinos, and bars, if the air conditioning system malfunctions and leads to conditions promoting heat-related illnesses, the owner could potentially be held liable for any resulting damages. Property owners and managers have a duty to make sure that their ventilation and air conditioning systems are functioning properly in order to keep customers and patrons safe. Failure to live up to this duty may be considered negligence.
Employers also have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for their employees. This includes having and maintaining air conditioning in work spaces. This is especially important in workplaces like warehouses and other physically demanding jobs. If an employer does not fulfill their duty to provide a safe environment, they may be liable for damages and their employees may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
When it comes to rental property, both commercial and residential, landlords have a duty to provide habitable living conditions, which includes proper climate control. If a landlord fails to maintain functional air conditioning or fails to address cooling issues promptly, they may be liable for negligence. Under Nevada law, tenants can withhold rent if a property owner does not repair broken air conditioning within 48 hours.
Contact ER Injury Attorneys
During the sweltering Las Vegas summers, everyone needs to be in a cool environment to help prevent heat illness. If you or a loved one have suffered from a heat-related illness due to inadequate air conditioning, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
ER Injury Attorneys’ team of accomplished Nevada personal injury lawyers will investigate your claim, determine heat illness liability, and help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
We’ve helped clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Boulder City, and Pahrump receive full and fair compensation in personal injury claims. Contact us 24/7 by calling 702-878-7878, via LiveChat, or by filling out our contact form for your free case consultation.