How to Deal With an Electrical Accident at Work (PDF)
When such injuries occur, the employer may be liable for damages due to negligence. In addition, the law may provide restitution to the victim’s family members in cases of electrical fatalities. These damages can cover medical costs, and lost wages, and help improve future conditions.
How do Electrical Injuries Occur?
While the electric shock is likely to be the first thing that comes to mind when considering electrical accidents in the workplace, there are many other possible injuries. A direct shock may not constitute an electrical injury even if an electrical hazard causes an explosion on fire that injures you.
What Are The Symptoms of Electrical Injuries?
Electrical injuries can manifest in various forms, from burns to headaches and muscle contractions. Hearing loss and confusion can also occur with strong electrical currents, as well as muscle soreness and arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. It is critical to seek legal aid for the associated costs, which may be extended due to a prolonged period of work absence.
The workplace may present a wide range of electrical hazards, so read the following sections carefully to determine if any of them apply to you.
Wires That Are Frayed or Exposed
Wires typically carry high levels of power, which the external layer protects from coming into contact with those nearby. Nonetheless, if the insulation breaks down, gaps in the layer can cause an electric shock to anyone touching it. Although this usually happens over a prolonged period, any type of damage or wildlife activity can accelerate the deterioration. For that reason, regular safety inspections are essential to check for fraying wires and potentially prevent negligence.
Power Lines That Are Faulty
While power lines are a necessary source of energy, they can become incredibly hazardous if not properly taken care of. The National Electrical Safety Code is in place to protect workers by ensuring the lines are at a safe height and that only qualified individuals can work with them. If a company fails to address the issue or makes an unqualified worker handle them, they may be legally held responsible for any injuries caused.
The Proximity to Water
One of the major causes of electrical accidents in the workplace is water. Highly conductive, it enables electrical currents to flow quickly and easily across any surface-even a single contact with a live wire can create an electrically active area. Moreover, the presence of water increases the risk of slipping or falling which further puts individuals at risk for electrocution. This should be brought to your attention when speaking to your attorney about your injuries sustained from electricity.
Equipment That is Overloaded
Even standard extension cords and power strips can become significant electrocution risks if overloaded. Check and follow the load rating when working with electrical equipment. Possibly you have a negligence case if your employer regularly ignored recommended wattage or voltage limits for your workplace’s devices.
Power Without Grounding
When interacting with any high-voltage power system, grounding is vital to ensuring safety. The purpose of grounding is to return excess voltage to the earth, which protects workers from severe or fatal electrical injuries. A failure to ground properly can result in electrical fatalities, so this type of negligence is particularly severe.
How to Handle an Electric Shock
When you receive an electric shock, make sure medical attention is sought as quickly as possible. If it was a major shock, call an ambulance or ask somebody to call one for you. When the medical side of things has been taken care of, it is time to review if negligence occurred. Your employer could be responsible if they sent you to do electrical work when you were not certified for that type of job or had not provided the necessary protective gear and neglected to ensure maintenance was done. A claim can be made if negligence was involved which can help provide compensation for your recovery.
Talk to an ATLINJ Georgia Work Accident Lawyer
When you suffer injuries in an electrical accident at work, your best resource is an attorney who understands the most common causes of work accidents, how these cases work, and how to hold negligent employers legally responsible. A work accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.
