Electrocution and electrification injuries can be incredibly painful accidents that result in severe burns, muscle damage, and nerve and neurological damage. If you or a loved one was injured or a loved one was killed in an electrical accident at a construction site, at work, or because of exposed wiring, talk to an attorney today.
Miami electrocution injury lawyer Prosper Shaked represents the victims of serious accidents and severe injuries and fights to help them get compensation for the harms they suffered. Taking the responsible parties to court can help you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering from an electrocution accident. For a free consultation on your case, call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today at (305) 694-2676.
Causes of Electrocution Injuries
“Electrocution” was originally a combination of “electrify” and “execution,” and was used to refer to death from the electric chair. However, this term commonly refers to any serious injuries caused by electric shock as well as accidental death from electrification. These kinds of injuries can occur in numerous situations where a person makes contact with an uninsulated wire.
Many electrocution accidents occur as on-the-job injuries in certain fields. Construction workers face the risk of drilling or cutting into wiring which can short their power tools and electrocute them, despite safety precautions. Many line-workers face the risk of coming into contact with unsafe, “hot” wires in their line of work as well. Electricians, engineers, and others who work with wiring, electricity, and circuitry in their jobs also face serious risks.
Electrocution injuries can also occur as a “premises liability” case. Property owners owe guests and customers certain duties to keep their property safe by repairing or warning of hidden dangers. Loose wires, exposed power cables, and faulty wiring run the risk of shocking or electrifying guests when they come into contact with the wires, light switches, power outlets, and other common points of electrical access. Many times, “Danger: High Voltage” signs may help keep people safe, but some property owners fail to take the proper care to warn guests of electrocution risks.
Types of Electrocution Injuries
Many electrocution injuries cause serious burns when the victim’s skin meets exposed wiring. These burns occur because the skin is not equipped to handle the electrical current, and the excess energy damages the tissue as it heats up. Burns from electrocution can also affect internal tissue and organs, causing tissue damage that may not be obvious on the surface. This can also occur from exposure to electricity, even if you do not come into direct contact with the live wires. This “arcing” can surprise even many who work with electricity, catching them off guard and causing serious injuries.
As the electricity flows throw your body, it can have serious effects on your organs and your body’s ability to regulate itself. Electric shocks of certain voltages can have the effect of putting a human heart into a different rhythm of beating, such as ventricular fibrillation (v-fib). Defibrillators (a.k.a. “paddles” or AED systems) may be needed to administer a countershock and correct the heart rhythm, or else the victim’s heart might not be able to pump blood and may suffer serious damage from its disorganized rhythm.
High electrical current can cause neurological problems and nerve issues. Since your brain function and every signal sent from your brain to the rest of your body consists of electrical signals, intense electric shock can negatively affect those signals. Your heart and lungs are especially sensitive to this kind of interference, as is your brain itself, and they can suffer serious damage.
Lastly, sudden shocks to nearby items can cause them to explode with light and force. These “arc flash” accidents actually account for around 80% of electrical injuries, according to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These can cause burns and injuries from shrapnel and the force of the blast. In addition, the sudden flash can harm your eyesight.
Lawsuits for Electrocution Accidents
If you were injured at work, you may be able to file a claim against your employer. In many cases, Florida’s workers’ comp. rules might require you to file your claim through that process. However, workers’ comp. does not typically apply to contractors and self-employed workers. There are also other situations where workers’ comp. protections may not apply and you could be permitted to file your case in court.
When you take your employer or client to court over electrical injuries you suffered on the job, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. This could cover the full cost of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Some of these damages are limited or barred in workers’ comp. claims, and a lawsuit may be your best option. Talk to an attorney today about how to file a lawsuit for your electrocution injuries at work.
If you were injured outside the workplace, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the property owner or the party who allowed faulty or dangerous wiring to become an electrocution risk.
Miami Electrocution Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
If you or a loved one was the victim of an electrocution injury, talk to an attorney today. You may be entitled to file a lawsuit to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Miami electrocution injury lawyer Prosper Shaked offers free consultations on new cases. Call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today to schedule your free, confidential consultation and to learn more about what your case could be worth.