Wildfire Smoke Injuries For Workers in Illinois

In mid-July of 2026, ABC 7 Chicago reported that the Windy City had the worst air quality of all major cities around the globe. The rapid decline in air quality was caused by rampant wildfires throughout North America, causing local authorities to issue an official Air Quality Alert. What if you were injured by wildfire smoke while working in Chicago? Can a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago help you fight for your rights?

Know Your Rights When Working in Wildfire Smoke

Since Chicago has become inundated with wildfire smoke, it is very important that you understand your rights as a worker. These rights are particularly crucial if you work outside. First, it’s important to note that you cannot simply refuse to go to work simply because the air quality has declined. An Air Quality Alert does not mean that “work is canceled.” However, you can use up your paid leave if you would prefer to stay home and protect your lungs.

Once you arrive at work, you can demand that your employer provide you with proper safety gear that protects you from the wildfire smoke. You also have the right to request remote work if it is feasible. If you’re being forced to work outside in a city with the worst air quality on the planet, this likely classifies as an “extreme hazard” under OSHA guidelines.

As a result, your employer is legally required to provide you with proper protection from wildfire smoke. The most obvious solution is an N95 mask. If your employer does not have any of these masks or refuses to provide you with one, you have the right to legally refuse to carry out your work. Your employer cannot fire you for this, and you can sue them if they retaliate against you in any way.

What if I Get Injured by Wildfire Smoke?

Wildfire smoke can cause various respiratory illnesses. These include bronchitis, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, heart attacks, strokes, carbon monoxide poisoning, and even fungal infections.

If you develop any illness as a direct result of your wildfire smoke exposure at work, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Even though wildfire smoke might originate in a different state (or even country), it is still a “work-related” hazard because it affected you while you were working.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help Me?

Poor air quality in Chicago affects outdoor workers to a significant degree. Air Quality Alerts do not allow you to take the day off work, and you may be forced to carry out your duties in an extremely hazardous environment. Your employer has a legal duty to provide you with proper safety equipment, including respirators. If you feel as though you might be developing some kind of injury due to the forest fire smoke, you have the right to stop working. Contact Connolly Injury Law to discuss your Chicago workers’ comp claim in more detail.

Sources:

journal-topics.com/articles/hazardous-air-quality-leads-to-cancellations-alert-continues-through-midnight/

cbsnews.com/chicago/video/chicagos-air-quality-the-worst-in-the-world-as-canadian-wildfire-smoke-blankets-area/