Heart attacks on the job in Colorado

Workers in Colorado might have numerous concerns about their health and safety. Some work environments are hazardous, meaning workers face increased risks of harm. However, any employee could suffer an injury on the job, with slip-and-fall accidents being common. Workers might fall victim to life-threatening heart attacks, which could be life-altering events.

Cardiac arrest on the job

The National Safety Council notes that 10,000 cardiac arrest incidents occur on the job each year. Persons suffering from a heart attack while working require immediate medical attention, or the cardiac event could be fatal. Under its First Aid Standard, OSHA has additional requirements for workplaces not within a certain distance of a medical care facility.

Some professions, such as the logging industry, come with more significant risks than others. A person lifting and carrying heavy lumber might experience a heart attack from the strain. Any worker in the vicinity of electrical power might experience a shock that causes a cardiac event. Federal regulations require specific industries to engage in additional training to deal with potential heart attack situations.

Workers comp and cardiac arrest

The recovery time after a heart attack could be lengthy, and a workers’ compensation claim may provide financial assistance to employees who suffer heart attacks while working. Colorado follows a no-fault workers’ comp system, which may make the claims process less challenging for injured workers. That could be the case with any injury suffered on the job.

Heart attacks may leave someone permanently disabled, and workers’ compensation may help those in such a situation. Eligible surviving family members could seek death benefits when the worker’s heart attack is fatal. Unfortunately, claimants might deal with a denied claim, but there are steps to deal with denials. An initially denied claim may be approved on appeal.

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