If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for any snake bite, any sign of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the lips or throat, wheezing, fainting), or multiple stings.
- 2Move away from the snake or the nest, but do not try to catch or kill the snake.
- 3For a snake bite, keep still, keep the bitten limb at a comfortable resting level, and remove rings or tight items before swelling starts. Do not cut, suck or ice the wound.
- 4If you carry emergency allergy medication prescribed to you, follow your clinician's instructions and tell the dispatcher.
- 5Have someone tell your supervisor. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can.
- 6Note the time, the location, and what the snake or insect looked like if you saw it. A photo from a safe distance can help; do not get close.
- 7Tell your crew where you are and do not walk or drive alone if you feel faint or unwell.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Landscapers, farmworkers, utility crews and oil field workers work in brush, tall grass, crawl spaces, meter boxes and around equipment where wasps, fire ants, spiders and snakes live. A bite or sting during that work is often treated as an injury on the job, depending on your state.
Your report should note where you were, what you were doing (reaching into a valve box, clearing brush, walking a fence line), and how quickly you got care. If nests or snakes had been seen in the area before, mention it.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so report promptly even if you felt fine after a few hours. Check your state's workers' compensation agency for its rules.
Keep the emergency room papers, any follow-up records and photos of the bite or sting site as it changes. If the site has a history of nests or snakes, ask whether that has been documented.
Getting medical care
Snake bites and severe allergic reactions are emergencies. After that, follow-up care may involve urgent care, primary care or occupational medicine. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation. Tell the clinician what you think bit or stung you, how many stings there were, how quickly symptoms started and whether you have reacted before.
Tell every provider it happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for non-emergency follow-up, so ask your employer or the adjuster. If you are far from town on a farm, lease or utility route, ask how follow-up care closer to home is handled.
If you are prescribed medication, including anything to keep on hand for future reactions, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is often available.
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
- You had a severe reaction or a venomous bite with lasting effects on a limb.
- The claim is denied because a bite is called an act of nature rather than a work injury.
- You were working on a property owned by someone else, which may raise third-party questions.
- You now fear returning to outdoor work, or have anxiety after a frightening bite.
- You develop a new allergy and are told you cannot do your job.
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
Follow your clinician's instructions and watch the bite or sting site for changes they told you to report. Keep photos with dates. Swelling and soreness around a bite can last a while. Tell your clinician about any new numbness, spreading redness or trouble moving the limb.
If you have developed an allergy, ask your clinician what precautions make sense and share any restrictions with your employer. Ask whether protective gear or changes in tasks are possible.
Keep in touch with your supervisor and adjuster. Tell them about follow-up visits and any time missed.
Questions to ask
- Has this area had snakes or nests reported before?
- Which clinic should I see for follow-up after the emergency room?
- Doctor, should I carry anything for future stings?
- Am I safe to return to outdoor work, and with what precautions?
- What is my claim number and who is my adjuster?
- Who do I call if the pharmacy has a question about billing my work-injury prescription?
- Attorney, does it matter that I was on someone else's property?
- Can crews be warned about nests or snakes seen in this area?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after a snake bite on the job?
Call 911 right away, even if you are not sure the snake was venomous. Stay as still and calm as possible and remove rings or tight items. Do not cut or suck the wound.
Is an insect sting or snake bite on the job covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Bites and stings that happen while doing outdoor work are often treated as work injuries. Report it and check your state's rules.
When is a bee or wasp sting an emergency?
Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, hives over the body or many stings. Severe reactions can happen fast. Get help right away.
Should I try to identify the snake?
Only from a safe distance, and never by catching it. A photo or description may help responders. Your safety comes first.
What if I develop an allergy from work stings?
Tell your clinician and your employer. A clinician can advise what precautions make sense. Share any restrictions in writing.
Do I need to report a sting that went away quickly?
It is still a good idea to report it. Some reactions show up later or get worse with the next sting. A written report creates a record.
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).