If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 immediately. Say you suspect heat stroke.
- 2Move the person to shade or a cool area.
- 3Start cooling right away: soak clothing and skin with cool water, apply cold packs or ice wrapped in cloth to the neck, armpits and groin, and fan them.
- 4Remove extra clothing, hard hats and gear.
- 5Don't give fluids to someone who is confused, drowsy or vomiting.
- 6Stay with the person and follow the 911 operator's instructions. If they stop breathing, follow CPR instructions if you are trained.
- 7Once things are under control, tell the supervisor and make sure the illness is reported in writing.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Heat stroke usually leads to an emergency response, but there should still be a written report to the employer. If the worker is hospitalized, a family member can contact the employer for the claim number and adjuster information.
Record the conditions: the time, temperature and humidity, the type of work, sun exposure, protective gear, and whether water, shade and rest breaks were available. Note whether the worker was new or returning after time off, since people who haven't adjusted to heat are often at greater risk.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep hospital records, discharge instructions, and a log of symptoms in the weeks afterward, such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, or heat sensitivity.
Getting medical care
Emergency and hospital care come first. Follow-up may be with occupational medicine or primary care, and sometimes specialists if organs like the kidneys or heart were affected. A licensed clinician decides what testing and care are appropriate.
Make sure every provider knows the heat stroke happened at work. Share a list of medications, since some affect heat tolerance. Some states and employers have rules about which provider handles follow-up, so ask the employer or adjuster.
If medication is prescribed after discharge, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery can help during recovery.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The heat stroke caused lasting kidney, heart, brain or other damage.
- Water, shade or rest breaks weren't provided, or workers were pushed to keep going.
- The claim is denied because heat is called weather rather than a work condition.
- The worker was employed through a staffing agency or labor contractor and coverage is unclear.
- The worker can't return to outdoor or hot work.
- A family is dealing with a death or very serious illness and has questions about benefits.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Recovery from heat stroke can take time. Fatigue and heat sensitivity are common afterward. Follow the care plan and keep follow-up visits.
Ask the doctor when it's safe to return to heat and whether a gradual return, shorter shifts or indoor work makes sense. Ask the employer what heat safety changes will be made.
Keep the employer and adjuster updated. If memory, concentration or mood problems show up, tell the clinician.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Were my kidneys, heart or other organs affected?
- Doctor: When can I safely work in the heat again?
- Doctor: Will I be more sensitive to heat from now on?
- Employer: What changes will be made for water, shade and breaks?
- Employer: Can I return gradually or work indoors at first?
- Adjuster: What is the claim number, and how are hospital bills handled?
- Attorney: The crew was pushed to keep working in extreme heat. Does that matter?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a coworker has heat stroke at work?
Call 911 immediately and start cooling them right away by moving them to shade, soaking them with cool water and fanning them. Remove extra gear. Don't give fluids if they're confused or vomiting.
What are the signs of heat stroke?
Confusion, slurred speech, strange behavior, fainting, seizures and very hot skin are common signs. The skin may be dry or sweaty. Treat it as an emergency.
Is heat stroke at work covered by workers' comp?
Heat illness on the job is often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can heat stroke cause lasting damage?
It can affect organs like the kidneys, heart and brain in some cases. Follow-up care matters. Ask your clinician what to watch for.
How is heat stroke different from heat exhaustion?
Heat stroke involves changes in thinking or consciousness and is life-threatening, while heat exhaustion is less severe but can progress. Both need attention. If in doubt, call 911.
When can I go back to work after heat stroke?
Your clinician decides, and a gradual return is common. Ask for written restrictions about heat. Share them with your employer.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).