"Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills."
"AUSTIN, Texas—On a scorching day in May 2020 that topped out at 95 degrees, Austin resident José Mario Calles reported to his landscaping job.
A lawsuit later filed by Calles’ family recounted what happened that day: The 51-year-old, who financially supported his wife and kids in El Salvador, fainted at work. He was rushed to the hospital and spent two nights being treated for a heart condition and diabetes, both known to make people more vulnerable to heat.
The lawsuit claims that his employer did not report the incident to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration or to its worker’s compensation insurance carrier as required by law. The father of six returned to work without the necessary medical clearance, according to the lawsuit, hefting 40-pound bags of mulch. Twelve days after his initial collapse, he suffered a heart attack at a job site and didn’t wake up.
The Travis County Medical Examiner found the cause of death was myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. The autopsy did not mention heat."
This story is a collaboration between The Texas Tribune and Inside Climate News. Yuriko Schumacher, Emily Foxhall and Alejandra Martinez reported for the Tribune, and Martha Pskowski and Dylan Baddour reported for ICN. Published August 14, 2024.
SEE ALSO:
"Biden Administration Releases National Heat Strategy" (The Hill)
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