Houston Electrical Injury Lawyer

If the injury occurs at work, the case may be a workers’ compensation case, and the worker may obtain compensation to pay for medical treatment as well as partial lost wages.

If a third party caused the work-related electrical injury, then the injured worker may pursue a lawsuit against that third party to recover further damages. This may be the case on construction sites where another contractor may install wiring negligently that causes injury to a worker employed by another contractor. Construction site accidents may involve injuries stemming from defective equipment.

Of course, electrical injuries may not be work-related. If that’s the case, like a third-party lawsuit mentioned above, injured parties may pursue a lawsuit against the liable party, whether it is a product manufacturer, property owner, or other parties whose negligence led to the injury.

Electrical Shock Injury Statistics

Electrical shock injuries are relatively common. In the United States, fatalities result from electrical shock in the workplace each year, while around 2,000 non-fatal injuries occur. Jobs in construction, installation, maintenance, and repair led to more electrical shock injuries than any other job category.

Electrical shock injuries occur outside the workplace as well. About 30,000 shock incidents occur per year in the United States, meaning that over 20,000 occur in homes or other areas. In total, about 1,000 people will die each year from electrical shock in the United States.

There are four basic types of electrical shock injuries it’s worth considering:

1. Flash injuries are usually caused by an arc flash and only superficial burns since no electrical current passes through the skin.
2. Flame injuries occur when an arc flash ignites a person’s clothing, and electrical current may or may not pass through the skin.
3. Lightning injuries are caused by short but high-voltage electric energy running through a person’s entire body.
4. Actual electrical injuries happen when a person’s body becomes part of an electrical circuit so that the energy passes through them from one end to the other.

Each type of injury can cause pain and potentially severe damage to the person affected.

Common Causes of Electrical Shock

There are several leading causes of electrical shock that you might hear about, whether the shock occurs inside or outside the workplace. The most common causes include:

• A faulty outlet or switch. As you may know, electricity comes from a box connected to the outlets and switches in your home by wires. If the box, the cables, or the outlet or switch is in any way damaged or loose, the electricity is forced to flow through an unstable path and could end up shocking you when you touch a part of that path (i.e., the outlet or switch).
• An outdated outlet. In the past, most outlets were made with only two prong-holes. However, it is more common in current practice to use three prong-holes. The bottom hole makes it possible for an outdated outlet with no ground wire to be installed, which provides unstable currents the chance to pass into the ground instead of into your body. You may be shocked.
• Faulty appliances. A defective appliance is usually so outdated that its circuitry is damaged, and electricity has difficulty passing through it. Electricity may ruin a defective appliance and shock you when you plug that appliance in.
• Electricity mixed with water. Water’s ions are highly conductive. If you attempt to use electricity while wet or near water, you might be shocked because the water conducts electricity efficiently from the air to your body.

If you were injured in the workplace because your employer made you work in an unsafe environment (e.g., near water) or with dangerous wiring (e.g., faulty, or outdated outlets), you might be entitled to compensation because your employer failed to keep you safe.

In addition, if a faulty appliance injured you, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible, especially if the device was new. It’s vital that you get in touch with an electrical injury lawyer as soon as you can after an electrical shock injury so that you can decide who caused your injury and how you can recover some compensation from them.

Kinds of Injuries from Contact with Electricity

The most common kinds of injuries you may suffer after contact with electricity include:

• Burns. The most obvious and common injury you’ll get from contact with electricity is a burn. This may be a mild burn or a more severe burn that goes into the dermis (your second layer of skin) or even into your tissues and muscles beneath the skin.
• Heart attacks. If the electricity reaches your heart, it could cause your heart to stop.
• Respiratory arrest. Electrical shock may cause you to stop breathing for a time.
• Seizures. You may suffer a seizure from the shock of electricity passing through your brain.
• Arrhythmia. Severe arrhythmia can occur if electricity messes with your heart’s natural rhythm. This can cause death if not treated appropriately.
• Broken bones. If electricity damaged your bone structure or caused you to fall from any significant height, you may also have to deal with broken bones.

These are only the most common injuries from electrical shock, but many more types of injuries could result from electrical injury. No matter what injuries you’re experiencing, don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to make sure that you get on the road to health as quickly as possible.

Where Electrical Injury Can Happen

An electrical injury can happen anywhere. It is common in the workplace, especially for workers who build or maintain homes with old or exposed electrical wiring. It is also common in bathrooms and kitchens where appliances with electricity may encounter water. Sometimes, electrical shock can happen outside, especially near a large body of water, if lightning is the cause of the shock.

If you’re the victim of electrical shock, you will likely suffer the effects of the shock both outwardly and inwardly. You will likely suffer some burns and may also suffer damage to your heart, lungs, or brain. It’s vital that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, no matter where your injury occurs. You should also reach out to an attorney for help if your injury resulted from someone else’s carelessness with electricity.

Damages from An Electrical Injury in Texas

If you live in Texas and are damaged by electricity, there are a variety of damages that you can collect. The typical damages may include:

• Medical expenses for emergency room visits, surgeries, medication costs, etc.
• Lost wages from the time you took off to recover and a long-term inability to work if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job.
• Pain and suffering.
• Scarring, disfigurement, and humiliation.
• Emotional trauma or distress.
• Loss of life enjoyment.
• Loss of consortium.

The damages you can collect compensation for will vary considerably depending on the circumstances of your claim. It’s crucial that you speak with an electrical injury lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you are seeking compensation for the right damages.

If you have any questions about dealing with and recovering from your electrical shock injury, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance from Baumgartner Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers. We offer a free consultation and help you get started on your claim today!

Proving Your Case with Proper Evidence

Expert witnesses are usually required in the types of electrocution or electrical injury cases mentioned above. It is critical that the victim or the victim’s family retains an injury attorney as early as possible following the accident. Particularly in the case of product liability, the equipment involved in the accident should be preserved for expert witness examination and evaluation.

Other types of evidence you may use to establish liability for your injuries and prove the effects of your injuries and related damages may include eyewitness testimony, medical reports, evidence of lost wages, and more. Be sure to speak with an attorney if you’re pursuing a case whether it’s work-related or not.

We have helped many Texas families after an electrical injury or death. Our firm has won lawsuits involving, property owners, general and subcontractors, and even product manufacturers. Some of our successes involved fatal accidents and a Texas wrongful death lawsuit. Other wins were filed after a construction accident for negligence.

Hospital Liens and Health Insurance Payback

If you were treated at a hospital and did not have health insurance for the hospital did not take your health insurance, there is a good chance that you may have a “hospital lien” that attaches to any settlement. Insurance companies will not pay liability coverage without addressing a hospital lien that is filed on your case.

If you use your health insurance for your medical treatment, your health insurance company may seek to be entitled to be paid back from settlement proceeds. This payback is called “subrogation”. Our electrical accident lawyers are skilled in negotiating reduced payments to hospitals and health insurance companies.