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Electrocution Accidents

electrocution injuries in Mobile, AlabamaWhile electrical power is used to make our lives better in a variety of ways, it is also dangerous and even deadly. When electricity escapes from a power line due to faulty equipment, delivery, or installation, the results can be disastrous.

Explosions and fires from an electric spark can lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. If you or someone you care about is the victim of one of these tragic events, you’ll need to act quickly to protect your rights. At the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, LLC, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve after an electrocution accident.

The Truth About Electrical Shocks

An electrocution can occur when a person comes into contact with any source of electricity that is strong enough to release a current through the hair or muscles. This voltage can cause fibrillation, tissue and organ damage, and even death.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1,000 people each year lose their lives to electrocution injuries in the U.S. A large portion of these deaths are due to faulty wiring or workplace accidents.

The Primary Causes of Electrocution Accidents

Electrocution accidents can happen just about anywhere and under a variety of conditions. Simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can result in life-changing injuries. Some of the circumstances of preventable incidents involving electricity include:

  • Home-related incidents. When there is faulty wiring in the construction of a home, this can lead to serious injuries resulting from electrocutions and fires. Others sources of home-related incidents are defective appliances and consumer products.
  • Workplace incidents. Some of the most common causes of electrocution accidents take place on a job site. The lack of a safety program at work can lead to a disaster. Workers can be electrocuted using faulty equipment, being exposed to live wires, or other unsafe conditions.
  • Community incidents. Many electrocution accidents involve underground or overhead power lines. Utility companies have a duty to safeguard access to dangerous equipment and keep faulty power lines maintained.

Regardless of where it occurs, some of the most common causes of electrocution accidents include:

  • Negligent property owners
  • Defective industrial or consumer products
  • Negligent or unlicensed contractor or electrician
  • Damaged electrical wiring
  • Faulty circuit breakers and defective outlets
  • Arc flash and Arc blast
  • Improper grounding of electrical equipment
  • Failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions/guidelines
  • Fire explosions
  • Wiring or appliances close to water
  • Improper use of extension cords

The Effects of an Electric Shock on the Body

While no two injuries are alike, the results of an electric shock can be particularly serious since this type of incident can lead to various types of damage to your body. If you are the victim of a severe electric shock, you might suffer from tissue damage as well as failure to one or more of your vital organs. Of the countless types of injuries that can occur from exposure to electricity, some of the most common are:

  • Burns to skin and internal organs. This may result in a need for surgery to remove damaged tissue. You could also get an infection from those same burns.
  • Torn muscles and broken bones due to falling and severe muscle spasms.
  • Heart issues can result from electrical accidents requiring a lifetime of care.
  • Brain or neurological damage can lead to seizures, headaches, movement disorders, and speech impediments.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Electrocution

If you were exposed to electricity, even for just an instant, you should seek immediate medical attention to ensure your safety and well-being. Knowing the common signs of electrocution could save your life or that of another accident victim. These include:

  • Burns at the site of contact
  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Unconsciousness
  • Respiratory failure
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Seizure
  • Heart arrhythmia
  • Tingling and numbness
  • Muscle pain and contractions
  • General weakness

Who is at Fault in an Electrocution Accident?

The main cause of electrocution is human error. This means that someone made a mistake that caused you or your loved one’s injury or death. When the reckless or careless conduct of another person or entity causes harm, you have a right to full and fair compensation for your losses.

If the electric shock injury was caused by a consumer product or took place on someone else’s property, you may have a personal injury case. Your attorney can help determine who was at fault so that you get the compensation you deserve.

When an electrocution occurs in the course of your employment, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. In some of these cases, you might also have a personal injury case against a third-party if that party caused or contributed to your injuries.

Compensation for an Electrocution Injury

The victim of an electric shock may not be able to return to work for an extended period. If this is the case, you would be entitled to make a claim for lost wages as well as lost earning capacity should your ability to make a living in the future be impaired. The cost of current and future medical care can also be extensive, which can add to possible damages. You also have the right to ask for pain and suffering in a personal injury case, but usually not a work-related one.

Contact a Qualified Mobile, Alabama Electrocution Accident Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of an electrocution accident, you might be facing some challenges. Few insurance companies today will open their pocketbooks to compensate accident victims to the extent they deserve but will instead try to issue lowball offers or even deny a claim in the hopes that the case will go away. For some big law firms, your case is just a number, but that isn’t the case at the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, LLC. Our firm not only limits the cases it takes to ensure personalized service, but we also deliver aggressive representation to each client we serve, with the full backing of our extensive resources. Contact our Mobile office now at (251) 473-6691 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. You may also send us a message through our web contact form.

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