Electrocution Injuries in California – 3 Occupations With the Most Damaging Accidents

An electrocution can happen as the result of many various accidents, some more common than you think.

You’ve probably seen signs reading DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE. These notices usually warn others of potential hazards like electrocution. 

An electrocution occurs when an electric current passes through the body, often leading to serious injury or death. The National Library of Medicine reports there are approximately 1,000 electrical related deaths per year in the United States. They add that these injuries are most common in occupational settings.

You shouldn’t have to worry about suffering an injury in your line of work. However, being aware and prepared can decrease the chances of an injury.

According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), electrocution fatalities are most common in these two occupations:

• Construction and Extraction Occupations: This profession accounted for an astounding 43% of all workplace electrocution fatalities. In fact, electrocution is listed as one of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s “Fatal Four” of construction accidents and deaths. Construction workers often use power lines and other electrical conductors that can increase the chances of being electrocuted. 
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations: Common installation jobs involving electrical wiring, like air conditioning, or repair jobs involving power lines, lead to frequent electrocution accidents. 

Industries with the most nonfatal electrocution injuries are:

• Construction: While not as high as construction fatalities, electrocutions were still responsible for 20% of all workplace electrical injuries.
• Manufacturing: Jobs like warehouse workers or welders run a high risk of electrocution injuries. Working at a warehouse may expose victims to different electrical wiring. 
• Leisure and Hospitality: While hotels are often a temporary place of residence for guests looking to get away, the employees run the risk of electrocutions. The magnitude of various positions, sometimes encompassing others on this list, create major hazards. 

An electrocution is a serious injury. There are various potential injuries that can stem from being electrocuted:

• Seizures 
• Loss of Balance
• Poor or Lost Coordination
• Burns
• Memory Loss
• Irritability 
• Depression 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic Fatigue 
• Frequent Muscle Spasms 
• Recurring Headaches
• Traumatic Brain Injury after a Fall

Electrocutions are oftentimes not just one single injury. In fact, they can lead to multiple injuries in one incident. 

Imagine an instance where a construction worker on a scaffold comes in contact with loose electrical wiring. This may not only lead to electrocution, but a catastrophic fall as well.

There are some basic safety tips for working with electricity:

• Make sure all parties are properly trained on operating electrical equipment. Unqualified colleagues in charge of certain electrical tools can increase the risk of injury for all parties involved.
• Improper grounding of electrical equipment is an extreme hazard. Proper grounding can eliminate unwanted voltage, which decreases the chances of getting electrocuted.
• Exposed wiring or damaged cords need to be inspected safely by the proper person. Not handling marred cables can be catastrophic if someone mishandles them.
• Water and electricity are a toxic and often deadly combination. Uncovered wires, especially those that are cut or ruined, run a high chance of electric shock if they are wet.

If you were electrocuted at work, our Los Angeles electrocution attorneys can help. We will explore your best options, such as workers’ compensation or personal injury. Our lawyers have years of experience, qualifying them to lead you through multiple options and get you appropriate compensation.

If you were electrocuted while on the job, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which may include:

• Present and future medical bills
• Temporary or permanent disability benefits
• Supplemental job displacement benefits
• Death benefits

If you have a personal injury claim, our Los Angeles attorneys may hold a number of parties liable. We will try to recover damages such as: 

• Present and future medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Living expenses
• Pain and suffering

The claim depends on different factors that our Los Angeles electrocution lawyers can help determine. Call us today for a free consultation with an attorney!