An electrocution injury lawyer can help injured workers and accident victims pursue compensation if contact with an electrical current causes serious harm. Electrocution injuries can take a physical and financial toll on victims via medical costs, lost income and ongoing care needs, among other losses and damages.
The right legal path after an electrocution injury depends on how the injury occurred, including whether it happened on the job, on someone else’s property or through a defective product. Electrocution injuries commonly arise from power line contact, unmaintained utility or worksite equipment or defective products.
Contact Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers or call us at (800) 718-4658 for a free case evaluation. Our experienced legal team can review your case and discuss the options you may have to pursue legal action after suffering from an electrocution injury.
Key Takeaways
- Electrocution and electrical injuries can result from low-hanging power lines, poorly maintained electrical systems, defective equipment and other dangerous electrical conditions.
- Utility companies, property owners, contractors and equipment manufacturers may be liable when negligence or defective equipment contributes to an electrical injury.
- Workers’ compensation is typically the first and most common source of benefits when an electrocution injury happens on the job.
- A negligent utility company, property owner or equipment manufacturer may lead to a separate personal injury claim that pays out beyond workers’ compensation.
- Liability can extend to property owners, utility providers, contractors or equipment manufacturers, depending on the facts of the accident.
- California sets different filing deadlines for injury claims: two years for a negligence claim and one year for a workers’ compensation claim. Government claims typically have even shorter deadlines.
Table of Contents
- Common Causes of Electrocution Accidents
- Types of Electrocution Injury Claims
- Who May Be Liable for an Electrocution Injury
- Who Qualifies to File an Electrocution Injury Claim
- Types of Injuries Caused by Electrocution
- Compensation Available After an Electrocution Injury
- California Filing Deadlines for Electrocution Claims
- Talk to an Electrocution Injury Lawyer Today
- FAQs
Common Causes of Electrocution Accidents
There can be several causes of electrocution accidents, though many occur in the workplace. Here are some of the most common causes of electricity-related deaths:
- Exposure to electricity at work, such as through overhead power lines.
- Exposed or improperly grounded equipment and wiring.
- Faulty, poorly installed or poorly maintained electrical systems.
- Faulty or poorly maintained electrical products.
Types of Electrocution Injury Claims
An electrocution injury may give rise to more than one type of legal claim, depending on where and how it happened. The three most common paths to potential recovery are as follows:
Workers’ Compensation Claims for Electrocution Injuries
Construction work accounted for 40 percent of all workplace electrical exposure deaths in 2024, according to BLS’s 2024 fatal occupational injury data. Nonfatal electrical injuries at work are even more common than fatalities, with researchers estimating close to 19,900 cases across U.S. industries from 2011 through 2020.
Most employees injured by electrical contact on the job in California qualify for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. Workers’ compensation generally covers medical treatment and a portion of lost wages, but these benefits do not cover full lost earnings or pain and suffering.
Workers’ compensation is typically the only form of legal relief that the injured can receive from their employer in California, though very limited exceptions exist.
When a third party, such as a utility company, property owner or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the accident, an injured worker may also pursue a separate claim against that party. Any compensation received from that personal injury case would be in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
Power Line and Utility Company Negligence Claims
Of the 130 workplace electrical exposure deaths recorded by BLS in 2024, 56 involved indirect exposure to electricity.
Utility companies have a duty to maintain power lines and equipment in a condition that does not endanger the public. A downed line, damaged insulation or improperly marked equipment may support a negligence claim against the utility provider.
Defective Equipment and Product Claims
A defective tool, appliance or piece of electrical equipment can expose a worker or consumer to unsafe currents, even when used as intended. Manufacturers, distributors and sellers may be held responsible if a design or manufacturing defect contributes to an electrocution injury.
Workers Most at Risk of Electrocution Injuries
Electrocution risk varies significantly by occupation, with workers who operate near energized lines or equipment facing the greatest exposure. The occupations below account for a disproportionate share of electrical injury claims nationally:
Construction Workers
Construction work accounted for roughly half of the fatal and roughly a quarter of the nonfatal occupational electrical injuries recorded in the United States from 2011 through 2020. Construction sites often involve exposed wiring, temporary power sources and work near overhead lines, all of which raise the risk of contact with energized equipment.
Electrical Workers and Linemen
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA records show that overhead power line contact accounted for 49% of workplace electrical fatalities from 2011 through 2024. This contact is the leading reported cause of workplace electrical fatalities during that period.
Tree Trimmers and Arborists
OSHA specifically recognizes tree care and removal as presenting an electrocution hazard when workers, tools, equipment or tree limbs contact overhead electrical lines. This exposure may occur when tree trimmers and arborists are pruning, trimming or removing trees near energized conductors, potentially ending in injury to the worker. Electrocution is one of several hazards that can arise during tree care work, and serious accidents may also lead to a tree injury claim depending on how the incident occurred.
Roofers and Painters
Exterior work on multi-story buildings can bring workers and conductive equipment into proximity with overhead power lines. Roofers and painters frequently use ladders, scaffolding and extension poles. When these tools come into contact with the power lines, electrocution can occur.
HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics
HVAC and refrigeration mechanics accounted for 42 workplace electrical fatalities from 2011 through 2022, based on available OSHA data. Technicians servicing HVAC equipment can encounter energized electrical components that may lead to injury.
Who May Be Liable for an Electrocution Injury
In California, workers’ compensation typically serves as the primary path to recovery when occupational duties lead to an injury. While this system generally acts as an exclusive remedy against an employer, certain provisions in state law may allow for specific exceptions. Fault is not usually considered in a workers’ compensation claim.
Property owners, landlords or other parties who occupy or control a property can be responsible for failing to maintain safe electrical systems on their property. Manufacturers may also be held liable when a defective tool, appliance or other electrical product causes an electrocution injury.
Third-party contractors working on a site may also share liability depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Utility companies, including public utilities, may bear responsibility for downed or improperly maintained power lines in a power line injury lawsuit. A different government entity may also be responsible, such as a town or city, which will involve different legal processes than claims against private parties.
Who Qualifies to File an Electrocution Injury Claim?
Workers injured by electrical contact on a job site generally qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Employees, contractors and bystanders injured by a utility company’s negligence may qualify for a separate negligence claim.
If a public entity was involved, such as a town, a city or a public utility, the injured may be able to file a claim against that government body by following specific guidelines to file a claim against the government.
Anyone injured by a defective product or piece of equipment while using it as intended may qualify for a product liability lawsuit. Family members of a victim killed in an electrocution accident may qualify to file a wrongful death claim.
Since many factors affect what type of suit could be filed, it is important to speak with an electrocution injury lawyer to consider what legal steps might be right for your case.
Types of Injuries Caused by Electrocution
Many types of injuries can be caused in an electrocution accident, including very serious ones that may be fatal. Some examples include:
- Burns, often from arc-flash events
- Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Nerve Damage, even from low-voltage exposure
- Respiratory Failure
- Brain Injuries from falls after exposure to electricity
Some victims may experience long-term neurological or psychological effects requiring ongoing treatment. Pain, suffering and medical costs may all be considered as potential forms of compensation during a personal injury lawsuit.
Compensation Available After an Electrocution Injury
Compensation in an electrocution injury claim may include medical expenses, lost income and costs tied to ongoing rehabilitation from your injuries. Families who lose a loved one to a fatal accident may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
The value of a claim depends on several factors, such as injury severity, liability of the parties involved, insurance coverage and whether workers’ compensation is involved. An electrocution accident attorney can help you determine what types and amounts of compensation may be available based on the facts of your case.
California Filing Deadlines for Electrocution Claims
A negligence claim against a property owner, utility company or other third party generally must be filed within two years of the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1.
A workers’ compensation claim generally must be filed within one year from the date of the injury under California Labor Code Section 5405.
Claims against a government entity, such as a public utility or municipality, may involve even shorter administrative filing deadlines, such as six months. Missing a filing deadline generally bars a claimant from pursuing compensation, making early legal guidance from an electrical injury lawyer important.
Talk to an Electrocution Injury Lawyer Today
Electrocution injuries can cause serious and distressing losses for victims, whether physical, emotional or monetary. Speaking to an electrocution injury attorney as soon as possible can help you determine and protect your legal rights after an electrical injury.
Contact our personal injury legal team or call us at (800) 718-4658 for a free case evaluation. Our experienced team of lawyers can help you protect your legal rights if you should pursue legal action.
FAQs
What Should I Do If I Am Injured by a Power Line?
If you are injured by a power line, seek immediate medical attention, including for seemingly minor injuries. Avoid approaching or touching a downed power line; it may remain energized even if it seems to be inactive. Report the hazard to authorities, such as first responders or the utility company, as soon as possible.
Document the scene, if possible, and your injuries, keeping records of your medical treatment and related expenses as they occur. A power line accident lawyer can then help identify potentially responsible parties, evidence and any compensation you may be eligible for through a workers’ compensation or power line injury lawsuit.
Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Lawsuit for the Same Electrocution Injury?
If a third party, such as a product manufacturer or utility company, played a role in causing an electrocution accident, an injured worker may have the right to pursue a separate third-party claim in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
It is important to speak with an experienced electrocution injury lawyer to evaluate your potential options for filing a suit based on the facts of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File an Electrocution Injury Claim in California?
A negligence claim against a third party generally must be filed within two years of the injury. Workers’ compensation claims usually have a one-year deadline.
Claims involving government entities, including public utilities or municipalities, may be subject to even shorter administrative deadlines. Missing a filing deadline can prevent a claimant from recovering compensation. It’s important to seek legal guidance from an electrocution lawyer as early as possible.
