Winter in Ohio isn’t just inconvenient, it can be dangerous, especially for people who work outdoors. Construction workers, utility crews, delivery drivers, landscapers, road crews, and many others face real risks when temperatures drop and wind speeds rise.

One of the most serious cold-weather hazards is frostbite and cold exposure injuries, and yes, these injuries can qualify for Ohio Workers’ Compensation benefits.  But let’s try to avoid any claims by understanding the dangers. 

❄  Understanding Cold Exposure Injuries

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freeze, most often affecting fingers, toes, ears, and the face. Prolonged exposure to cold, wind, and moisture can also lead to hypothermia, nerve damage, and permanent loss of function.

Unlike a slip-and-fall or a sudden accident, cold exposure injuries often develop over time, which can make workers hesitate to report them or employers question whether they’re work-related.

When Is Frostbite a Workers’ Comp Claim?

If your job requires you to work outdoors in unheated environments or travel in the elements for work, and you suffer frostbite or cold-related injuries as a result, that injury would be compensable under Ohio Workers’ Compensation law.

There is no specific, magical thing you need to prove.  If you have job duties that resulted in exposure and medical documentation that you were injured, you can get a claim. 

But for instance if you have one, fixed place you go, it can’t be from coming and going to work.

 What Workers Should Do

First of all prevent these.  Be aware of temperatures.  Wear gloves and hats and other protective gear.  

If you believe you’re suffering from frostbite or cold exposure:

Seek medical attention immediately, don’t “tough it out.”

Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible.

Document conditions and get a copy of reports

Get the advice of a good attorney.

We’re Here to Help

Cold-weather injuries can have long-term consequences, including nerve damage and permanent loss of use, even amputations. At The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC, we help Ohio workers navigate these claims and push back when injuries are minimized or denied.

Working in the cold shouldn’t mean sacrificing your health—or your rights.

   419-244-7885

   www.kmylaw.com

Each year, we pause to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not only for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, but for his enduring message about dignity, fairness, and justice for working people. And we take that seriously around here.  We are shutdown on the holiday to let our team go to events and service projects to honor his memory and we were as a firm one of the early donors to his memorial in Washington, DC.

Dr. King understood something that remains just as true today: economic justice and civil rights are inseparable. He spoke often about the value of labor, the importance of safe working conditions, and the moral obligation of society to protect those who do the work that keeps it running.

In one of his final campaigns, in fact it is where he died, Dr. King stood shoulder to shoulder with sanitation workers in Memphis as they fought to collectively bargain. He stood with Men who simply wanted safe equipment, fair treatment, fair pay, and respect for their lives. His message was clear: no worker should be disposable, invisible, or forced to choose between their health and their livelihood.

That belief is supposed to be at the heart of Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation system. While the system is imperfect and often frustrating, its core purpose is rooted in the same principle Dr. King championed: workers deserve protection when they are hurt doing their jobs.

At the Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, we represent Ohio’s working families every day—people who lift, build, care, drive, repair, and serve. When they are injured, they are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for fairness, dignity, and the chance to heal without being cast aside.

On Dr. King’s Day of remembrance, we reflect on his reminder that justice is not abstract. It shows up in workplaces, courtrooms, hearing rooms, and everyday decisions about how people are treated when they are most vulnerable.

Honoring Dr. King means continuing the work—standing up for workers, insisting on fairness, and never losing sight of the human beings behind every claim file.

New Year’s Resolutions for Safer Workplaces: A New Year’s Message from the Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC

Every January, we all make resolutions. Some of us vow to eat better (yes). Some promise to exercise more (yes, 7 out of 9 days for me). And some of us make the same resolution every year—this is finally the year I’ll clean out my inbox (not going to happen I have four email accounts that generate about 100-150 emails per day) 

At the Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC, our favorite New Year’s resolutions are the kind that actually make a difference: resolutions for safer workplaces.

We say it to all clients at the end of our representation, thank you for letting us help you, and please do not need us again. We want there to be zero workplace injuries in Ohio.  

But since we’re not there yet, here are a few workplace safety resolutions worth keeping in the new year:

1. Take Safety Seriously—Every Day

Safety isn’t a “check-the-box” exercise. Regular training, clear procedures, and speaking up when something feels unsafe can prevent injuries before they happen.

2. Fix Small Problems Before They Become Big Ones

Loose flooring, poor lighting, broken equipment, or rushed shortcuts are often brushed off—until someone gets hurt. Addressing small hazards early protects everyone.

3. Don’t Ignore Injuries

Working through pain isn’t a badge of honor. Reporting injuries early and getting proper medical care helps prevent long-term damage and protects your rights under Ohio Workers’ Compensation law.

4. Look Out for Each Other

A safe workplace is a team effort. Watching out for coworkers, reminding each other of safety practices, and lending a hand when needed can make all the difference.

5. Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights as a worker is part of staying safe. Workers’ Compensation exists to protect injured workers, not to punish them for speaking up.

While we hope the new year brings fewer workplace injuries, we also know accidents still happen. If they do, The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC will be here to help Ohio’s working families navigate the system and protect what matters most.

Here’s to a safer, healthier, and happier New Year—at work and beyond.