Electrical Shock Injuries and Electrocution

Each year over 4,000 people suffer electrical shock injuries and 400 people die in fatal electrocution incidents. The majority of these deaths and injuries occur as a result of workplace electrical accidents. According to a study released by the National Fire Protection Association, from 2012 to 2016, 739 workers died from exposure to electricity. Of that total amount, 417 deaths were caused by direct exposure to electricity (e.g. touching a live wire) and the other 308 deaths were caused by indirect exposure to electricity (e.g. touching something unintentionally conducting electricity). Moreover, almost half of the deaths (47%) involved construction workers.

Other potential sources of electrical shock and/or electrocution include contact with a downed power line that did not properly de-energize following a storm or an automobile accident, contact with exposed electrical sources in rental properties or while on the premises of another and defective products such as faulty machinery or appliances.

According to the American Burn Association, the most common types of electrical shock injuries include:

• Electrical burns. These burns can occur when an electrical current flows through a person’s body. The heat generated by the current passing through the body leads to tissue damage. Electrical burns can also result in severe internal damage from the electrical current passing through the body, including cardiac arrest, organ damage, muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction, and other serious injuries which may not be immediately evident to the victim and/or emergency medical providers.
• Arc or flash burns. These burns are different from electrical burns because the electrical current does not actually pass through the victim’s body. Instead, they are caused by exposure to an electric arc or flash which is defined as a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another.
• Surface or contact burns. These burns can result from contact with hot surfaces of electrical appliances or overheated electric conductors or equipment.

If you or your loved one has sustained electrical shock injuries or been electrocuted due to the negligent conduct of another, you may be entitled to damages for any physical, financial and emotional losses suffered including, but not limited to:

• Medical bills and expenses
• Lost earnings or income
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship or affection
• Wrongful death

As with other types of burn litigation, electrical injury/electrocution cases are complex and often require the use of experts in the fields of mechanical or electrical engineering, electric utility practices and other specialties to determine the cause of the incident. Moreover, burn surgeons and life care planners are required to provide expert testimony regarding expected future medical care and associated expenses, while vocational experts and economists are needed to opine on lost earnings and earning capacity.

The experienced and knowledgeable electrical injury/electrocution attorneys at Morgan Litigation Group will consult with a network of top investigators, engineers and medical experts to determine who was at fault for your incident, and then help you pursue the compensation that you deserve for your past and future injuries and damages.

Despite being located in South Carolina, we have and continue to represent victims of electrical shock or electrocution incidents across the Southeast and United States. If you or a loved one has suffered electrical shock injures or death due to no fault of your own, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and case assessment. Even if you are located outside of South Carolina, we are available for a face-to-face virtual consultation using Zoom, Skype, or other remote technologies.