Electrocution Accident Attorneys
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that nearly 8.6% of workplace fatalities involve electrocutions. This amounts to nearly 400 workplace fatalities per year. In fact, OSHA has dubbed electrocutions one of the “fatal four” causes of workplace injury and death. Most deaths occur in the summer months which is the prime time for most construction activities. Younger workers tend to be at the most risk. There are numerous potential sources of electrical hazards including power lines, equipment and electrical outlets.
But electrical hazards don’t exist solely in the workplace. Around 67 people are killed after being electrocuted by large household appliances. Between 2002 and 2018, 33 people were injured due to pool electrocutions. Faulty wiring is a major source of electrical hazards in the home. Outside of the home, many people are electrocuted when metal objects such as fences become inadvertently energized. Any person that is injured in an electrical accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Our team of electrocution accident attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help in any way that we can. We can evaluate your case free of cost and let you know what your legal rights are. You can reach us anytime at 800-529-9997.
How To Prevent Electrical Accidents
Electrocutions are largely preventable when the right safety procedures and OSHA guidelines are being followed. In general, one of the best ways to prevent accidents is to ensure that workers are adequately trained to identify hazards that they encounter. They should also be equipped with the proper protective gear. General contractors should also provide proper monitoring of their subcontractors. There are many other steps that should be taken to prevent electrocution accidents.
- Workers should use the proper lock-out/tag-out practices for equipment.
- Metal objects should be kept away from live electrical circuits/parts.
- Electrical equipment should be properly grounded or double insulated.
- Workers should know the location of overhead and underground power lines.
- Tools should be inspected before each use for signs of wear and tear.
There are strong incentives in the construction industry and other fields for workers to complete their projects on-time and under budget. When projects are behind schedule, it is common for workers to be pressured to increase their pace or to work longer hours. This is when serious accidents are most likely to take place. The Centers for Disease Control has estimated that staying awake for only 17 hours reduces a person’s coordination equal to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%.
Liability For Electrical Accidents In The Workplace
When a company fails to maintain their workplace in a reasonably safe condition and this leads to an electrocution they could be held liable. New York Labor Law 241(6) requires that general contractors and owners that employ workers for construction, excavation or demolition “provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety to the persons employed therein or lawfully frequenting such places.” For example, New York regulations could be violated if workers were allowed to perform their duties near live electrical current.
Construction companies and employers must do their best to protect workers from electrical hazards. OSHA 1910.333(c)(2) requires that only qualified persons may work on electrical parts or equipment that has not been de-energized. These persons must be familiar with work on energized circuits and the precautionary techniques and tools necessary to prevent accidents. Ideally, workers should wait until electrical circuits have been de-energized before starting their jobs.
Liability For Electrical Accidents In The Home
Electrocution remains a major hazard outside of the workplace. Depending on the facts of any case a property owner or energy company could be liable for an electrocution. Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This must be done for the protection of all persons in a property whose presence is reasonably foreseeable. There are a number of ways that a property could be in a dangerous condition so as to contribute to an electrocution.
- The electrical wiring on a property may not have been up to code.
- Appliances may not have been properly hooked up.
- Properties may have lacked adequate safety features such as a ground fault circuit interrupter.
The company that manufactured a tool or appliance could also potentially be liable for an accident. Companies have a legal responsibility to create products that are reasonably safe. When they fail to do this they could be held responsible through a product liability claim. For example, if a power tool lacked the proper insulation to prevent electrical injuries this could potentially form the basis for a civil claim.
Why You Should Hire An Electrocution Accident Attorney
There are more than 30,000 nonfatal shock accidents that occur each year in the United States. Electrocution injuries are some of the most painful and expensive injuries that a person can endure. They often have a lasting impact on a person’s physical and neurological well-being. According to the Merk Manual, damage from a serious electrical shock may include:
- Hemolysis
- Protein coagulation
- Thrombosis
- Muscle and tendon avulsion
- Cardiac arrest
There are a number of benefits that can come with hiring an electrocution accident attorney. An attorney can help level the playing field and take steps to help get you the best outcome for your case. Personal injury attorneys work entirely off of a contingency fee basis and do not charge anything up front for their services. They only get paid if they are able to successfully resolve your case. Personal injury attorneys are also directly incentivized to help get you the most amount possible for your injuries.
Getting Help After En Electrocution Accident
It can be difficult to know where to begin after a serious electrical accident. Many accident victims suffer debilitating injuries and may not be able to return to work for several weeks or months. Some victims are so badly injured that they will never be able to return to work. For these people, a competent and skilled attorney can mean the difference between hardship and a financially secure future for themselves and their family.
If you or someone that you love has been injured in an electrocution accident, you may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. have successfully resolved thousands of claims and have recovered nearly $1 billion for our deserving clients. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. We can provide a no obligation free case review by phone to advise you on your potential case. You can reach out to us anytime at (212) 385-4410.
