Maison Law helps injury victims in California and can assist with the workers’ compensation process after workplace injuries, including electrocution accidents. While every job site has its own unique risks with sources of electricity, any electrocution can lead to serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt by electrocution at work, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Do Electrocution Injuries Happen in the Workplace?
If you’re an electrician or work in construction, you’re likely aware of the risk of electrocution. But even if you work in this field, you have the right to a reasonably safe work environment. When this doesn’t happen, it leads to electrocutions and other injuries. Specifically, though, it’s important to look at how these types of accidents happen in any workplace:
- Faulty wiring or equipment
- Lack of training or supervision with tools
- Inadequate maintenance or grounding
- Direct with overhead power lines or other sources of electricity
- Leaks or other wet conditions
- Not providing proper safety or protective equipment
Obviously, any one of these conditions opens you and your coworkers up to all sorts of different accidents with electricity. Electrocutions are the most common here, but even that means a whole range of potential injuries. According to MedlinePlus, this usually includes things like:
- Burns
- Muscle spasms and pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Broken bones from falling after losing consciousness
- Headaches or other head injuries
- Problems with swallowing, vision, or hearing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attacks
- Chest, arm, neck, jaw, or back pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Breathing problems or lung failure
Like any situation, it’s important to do what you can to take care of your health and safety after you or someone you’re working with is electrocuted. But this is also a pretty scary situation, even if you’re used to working with electricity.
What You Need to Do After an Electrocution Injury
No matter what the circumstances are, being electrocuted (or even witnessing a coworker being electrocuted) is extremely frightening. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t change the fact that certain steps need to be taken so you can set up your workers’ comp (or other) claim for success:
- Document what happened – Write down the date, time, and location of the electrocution, and describe what caused the injury, such as faulty equipment or exposed wiring.
- Get medical care right away – Get immediate medical care to assess any potential internal or external injuries. Having medical records will support your workers’ comp claim.
- Talk to safety experts – Speak with electrical safety experts or other professionals who can confirm that the electrocution was caused by unsafe working conditions or equipment. This can help prove the accident is job-related and not a freak accident.
- Gather evidence and information – Take photos of the accident scene, including any damaged electrical equipment or safety violations. Save any protective gear you were wearing to show you followed safety guidelines.
- Get statements from witnesses – If coworkers or supervisors saw the accident or know about unsafe conditions, ask them for statements. Their testimony can strengthen your case.
One way to look at this situation is that it’s just like any other accident in terms of what needs to be done to form the foundation of a claim. The difference is that the claims process after an electrocution or other work-related accidents is a bit different.
What Are Your Claim Options After an Electrocution at Work?
With an accident as unpredictable as an electrocution, you could be facing a huge range of injuries, but more importantly, facing pretty significant losses. Whether it means ongoing medical care, missed work, or fatal injuries in serious cases, it’s important to know what your options are for filing a claim. Like any injury situation, you generally have two options:
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim – This is like filing an insurance claim. You ask your employer for the proper forms, fill it out and submit your claim. From there, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will likely offer a settlement or at least provide temporary disability benefits. While this helps in the short-term, workers’ comp benefits run out after a while.
- Filing a lawsuit – You may need to file a lawsuit if you require additional support after your workers’ comp benefits end or if your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim. This means taking your claim to court, and gives you a better chance at recovering full “damages” like:
-
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income if you’re permanently injured
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care costs related to your injuries
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death expenses
Dealing with an electrocution (or any other injury) at work is challenging, but it’s important to understand your legal options. Whether you choose workers’ compensation or a lawsuit, make sure to file within California’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident itself.
Legal Help After an Electrocution Injury in California
Dealing with an electrocution injury at work can be overwhelming. You might be facing serious pain, medical treatments, and time off from work. While these injuries happen suddenly, their effects can last a long time. Although you’re not required to have a lawyer, handling the claims process on your own can be stressful. That’s where our team comes in. We can:
- Gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and consult experts to make your case stronger.
- Work with doctors to assess your injuries and plan your recovery.
- Create a legal plan, whether it’s negotiating, filing a workers’ compensation claim, or filing a lawsuit.
- Negotiate for a fair settlement to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
We’ll keep you updated throughout the process and focus on getting the best outcome so you can move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
