Some workplace electrocution injuries are minor, but many are very serious. About 10% of workplace electrocution injuries are fatal. If you or a loved one were injured in an electrocution accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit or product liability action to get compensation for your injuries. If a loved one was killed by an electrocution injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.
Accidents on construction jobs are responsible for more than half of all electrocution deaths. The construction industry also has the most non-fatal electrocution injuries, followed by manufacturing, hospitality and leisure, health services and education, and food services and accommodations.
Although construction workers suffer the most electrocution work injuries, no worker is exempt. Office workers, factory workers, and miners could all be electrocuted on the job, as could almost any worker who is around equipment that uses electricity. Both low voltage and high voltage electricity can cause injuries.
All deaths from electrocution are caused by electric shock, as are approximately two-thirds of non-fatal electrocution injuries. The rest of the non-fatal electrocution injuries are caused by burns.
Contact with overhead power lines is a common cause of electrocution on the job. Construction workers who use heavy equipment, ladders, and scaffolding are especially vulnerable to dangerous contact with power lines. Other causes of workplace electrocution injuries include contact with electrical equipment, light fixtures, control panels, and transformers. Such common hazards as faulty wiring, exposed live wires, and damaged extension cords can all cause electrocution injuries.
When electricity comes in contact with the human body, it can damage both the outside and the inside of the body. It can burn the skin. If an electric current passes through the body, it can destroy tissues, muscles, and nerves.
Electricity can make the heart stop beating. It can cause permanent brain damage.
People can also be injured if they fall because of contact with electricity.
You should see a doctor or other medical professional right away if you have contact with electricity at work, even if you don’t appear to be seriously hurt. Unfortunately, people can sometimes have internal injuries from electricity without being aware of it immediately. The sooner you can get checked out medically, the better chance you have of preventing long-term harm.
To find out if you can sue someone because of an electrocution work injury, you need to find out who might be legally responsible. You may be able to sue a person or a company if they were careless or did things in a way that was unsafe. That includes people and companies who fail to follow safety regulations.
If the electrocution accident was caused, at least in part, by defective equipment, you may be able to sue the equipment manufacturer in a product liability action. For example, if an electrical tool or an appliance gave electrical shocks because it was not designed or manufactured properly, then whoever made or sold the product may be held legally responsible.
If the electrocution accident was caused by someone other than your employer, then you may be able to sue that other person or company for personal injury. That’s called a “third party” lawsuit.
Finding out who you can sue is a very important part of a lawsuit. You should talk to a lawyer who has experience with work accidents to find out what options the law gives you in your individual situation
If you reach a settlement in an electrocution work injury lawsuit or if you win in court, you can expect to receive compensation for your injuries. This compensation may include payment for your medical expenses. If your medical expenses related to the injury are expected to continue in the future, you may also receive payment for the estimated costs of that later medical treatment.
Compensation for medical expenses may include fees for doctor visits, hospitalizations, medication, rehab, counseling, and devices such as wheelchairs.
You may also receive compensation for lost wages if you are unable to work. Like medical expenses, compensation for lost wages covers both present losses and expected future losses.
You may also receive payment to compensate for physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and disfigurement.
If you think you may want to sue to get compensation for injuries from an electrocution work accident, you should start gathering evidence that will help show what happened and what it is costing you. Any photos and videos that you have of the accident site, notes that you have written about how you were feeling, medical documents, and medical bills can all help you prove your case.
You should talk to an experienced electrocution work injury lawyer, who will evaluate your case and advise you about whether you have a good claim for a lawsuit. If you go ahead and sue, your lawyer will gather additional evidence, find experts, if necessary, to testify, find out if any manufacturers or third parties were negligent, and negotiate with the other party’s lawyers and/or insurance company. Many cases settle before trial, but your lawyer should be prepared to go to court if necessary.
The work accident legal team at the Raynes & Lawn law firm is dedicated to seeking justice for people who were injured at work. We have received many honors for our legal work both locally and nationally. We would be glad to talk to you and find out more about what happened to you or your loved one. We will then give you information to help you decide if it’s worth starting a lawsuit.
We invite you to call us at 1-800-535-1797 or fill out our simple contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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