Job-Related Electrocution Accidents and Worker’s Compensation

worker handling electrical wiresMany workers are exposed to electrical hazards at their jobs. Whether they are working with damaged extension cords, faulty power lines or operating electrical equipment, the risk of electrocution is high. Electrical shocks and burns can result in serious injury or even death. If you or a loved one has suffered an electrical injury while at work, worker’s compensation may cover your injury-related expenses.

A worker’s compensation attorney in Fox Valley is ready to help you seek compensation from the state’s compensation system. An initial consultation to learn more about your potential legal option is completely free. If you have a valid worker’s comp claim, you are under no obligation to move forward. We only receive payment for our services if we help you obtain benefits.

Causes of Electrocution Accidents on the Job Site

Electrocution accidents occur far too often in certain occupations. Common electrical hazards that may result in serious injury for construction workers, electricians, utility workers and cable operators include:

  • Dangerous power connections
  • Damaged or frayed electrical cords
  • Overloaded electrical circuits
  • Exposed live electrical wires
  • Improperly installed electrical lines
  • Electrical wiring problems
  • Downed or damaged power lines
  • Using electrical equipment in damp or wet conditions

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies electricity as a serious workplace hazard and has designed standards to protect employees from electrical shocks, burns and fatalities.

Different Types of Electrical Injuries

The severity of an electrical injury depends on the amount of electrical current that flows through the body and the part of the body that is impacted.

For instance, a low-voltage electrical current may cause minor shock and muscle pain without any permanent damage while a high-voltage electrical current can produce some devastating injuries.

Injuries caused by electrocution accidents may include, but are not limited to:

  • Burns – A worker may experience extensive and severe burns to the skin where the electricity entered and exited the body.
  • Broken bones – Electric shock can cause violent muscle contractions that may lead to broken bones or fractures.
  • Brain damage – An electrical injury can affect the brain or central nervous system, resulting in loss of memory, confusion or seizures.
  • Cardiac arrest – An electrical injury to the heart can cause an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, or sometimes the heart may even stop beating entirely.
  • Falls – A worker who is electrocuted can lose consciousness and suffer injuries in a fall. Falls can be especially dangerous and lead to serious brain or spine trauma from a ladder or scaffold.
  • Internal injures – Electrical shock can cause damage to the internal tissues, nerves and organs.
  • Muscle injuries – Muscles, ligaments and tendons may tear as a result of the sudden contraction caused by an electric shock.
  • Respiratory arrest – A electrical injury to chest and lungs can lead to respiratory arrest, causing a worker to experience difficulty breathing or stop breathing entirely.

After an electrocution accident, it is important to obtain immediate medical care and then consult with an experienced lawyer to help you pursue the benefits you need. Our firm is well-versed in Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation system and the kind of injuries that may be covered.

Worker’s Compensation and Electrocution Accidents

Worker’s compensation is a no-fault system, so you may be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits even if the injury was your fault. Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation insurance helps employers provide injured workers with medical care and compensation for any wages lost during their recovery.

Workers may be able to receive a maximum weekly amount while off work due to an electrical injury. A surviving spouse or child may also be able to receive a maximum death benefit amount for the death of a worker in an electrocution accident. Worker’s compensation benefits are the exclusive remedy of an employee for a job-related injury caused by an employer or fellow co-worker.

What If I Was Injured by a Third Party?

If your electrical injury was caused by someone other than your employer or co-worker, you may be eligible to file a claim against a negligent third party. Third parties who could potentially be liable for your injury include utility providers, contractors and property owners.

Unlike worker’s compensation claims, negligence must be proven in a third-party claim. Compensation may include mental anguish, and pain and suffering, beyond what is covered by worker’s comp benefits.

Get the Legal Help You Need Today

If you were involved in an electrocution accident at work, you may have a valid worker’s compensation claim and qualify to file other types of claims to recover additional compensation for your injuries.

A lawyer at Sigman Janssen is prepared to review your situation in greater detail during a free, no-obligation legal consultation. There is no risk in contacting us and no upfront fees to use our services.

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