Many times an electrocution injury or death is the result of a defective product. Whether the product is a household appliance or a power tool, a personal injury claim may be made against the designer, manufacturer and/or distributor of the product. These cases can be brought in order to recover damages for pain and suffering, loss of physical ability, lost earnings and medical expenses. Our Electrocution Injury Lawyers handle cases throughout California.
If you or a loved one suffered an electrocution injury, contact the personal injury lawyers of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers now for a free, confidential consultation. Let our skilled attorneys advise you of your legal rights. Call us today at 800-718-4658, use the live chat feature or complete the free consultation request form on this page.
Common Causes Of Electrocution
Electrocution occurs when the human body receives an electrical shock. Some shocks may be mild and not cause much harm, while others can be very severe, leading to burns, cardiac arrest, and even death. Electrical shocks can also cause a person to stop breathing, develop a weak pulse or become unconscious. Electrocution can happen at home or in the workplace.
Each year, our law firm is contacted by electrocution victims or their families. The injuries are often serious, life-threatening or even fatal. Below, we have highlighted some common causes of electrocution in the home and in the workplace. We have also provided a list of helpful tips to prevent electrocution around the home to help keep you and your family safe.
Electrocution Dangers In The Home
People can suffer electrical shocks from using faulty appliances, dropping an appliance into water, using a poorly wired electrical system, using damaged electrical cords or coming into contact with a power line.
Many children suffer burns to the mouth after chewing on electrical cords connected to a plug. Appliances should never be used around water. Even something as minor as touching a hair dryer with wet hands can lead to an electrical shock.
Faulty wiring can also be an issue with swimming pools and hot tubs.
Electrocution Dangers in the Workplace
Work-related accidental electrocution can occur when a worker is exposed to either a power line or other exposed electrical source. While many times the employee is covered by workers compensation, the injury may have been the result of the failure of some party other than the employer to provide safety or prepare the work site by deactivation of the electrical source. If a third party is responsible a claim can be made for damages, especially when the worker’s compensation benefits are insufficient to provide for the injured worker or his family.
Most workers are exposed to electricity to some degree. Common workplace incidents involving electrocution include direct worker contact with a power line or equipment, boom vehicle contact with a power line, conductive equipment coming into contact with a power line and equipment that is improperly installed, maintained or damaged.
Tree trimmers, utility line workers and sign technicians are the most at risk for electrocution. The construction and mining industries have the highest rates of fatalities from electrocution. Linemen are the most common victims of workplace electrocution. Most electrocution deaths are caused by direct worker contact with a live power line.
In a study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nearly all incidents investigated involved alternating current. The majority of the workplace electrocution injuries involved voltages of more than 600 volts. More than two-thirds involved voltages of 7,200-13,800 volts.
Preventing Electric Shock
Keep yourself safe by following these tips to prevent electrocution:
- Use a licensed electrician for all electrical jobs around the house. Don’t try to do them yourself.
- Keep appliances away from puddles and wet areas.
- Don’t use power cords that are frayed or damaged.
- If you have a pool, have a professional ensure your Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (GFCIs) are working properly.
- Use outlet covers to keep children’s fingers and other objects out of outlets. Injuries involving electrical outlets lead to 4,000 emergency room visits each year.
- Never touch downed power lines.
- Stay inside during a thunderstorm.
California Injury Attorneys Offering Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has experienced an electrocution injury, please contact the legal team Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers by calling 800-718-4658, using the live chat or completing the contact form on this page. Whether the case is the result of a failure to provide warnings, failure to de-energize an electrical current or the result of an improperly placed power line, contact our office. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your case and advise you of your legal options.
