Electrocution injuries can cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries. Victims can become injured through electric shock, electrical burns, and falls resulting from electrocutions. Additionally, every year, thousands of workers become electrocuted on the job.
If you or your loved one have been injured in an electrocution accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have the right to compensation for your injuries. Electrocution injury victims can pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Injury victims and families who’ve lost loved ones due to electrocution can turn to the Houston personal injury attorneys at Ceja Law Firm.
Types of Electrical Accidents
Nearly all workers are exposed to electrical energy at work. Electrical currents may cause severe electrical burns and other injuries. Ceja Law Firm offers steadfast and highly individualized legal representation for victims who’ve suffered injuries from a wide range of electrical accidents.
Injuries Caused By Electrical Shock
Electric shock happens when a person’s hand, finger, arm, foot, or leg is placed across a live electric current. A person’s body is a good conductor of electricity because we are made up mostly of water. The severity of electric shock depends on the type and length of exposure to the electric current. The mild electric shock causes a slight tingling. Moderate electric shock can cause a person’s muscles to contract, making it difficult to pull away from the live electric current. Severe electric shock can cause heart or respiratory failure.
Electrical Burn Injuries
Severe electric shock can cause a person’s tissue to burn. Burns due to electrical exposure can be internal or external. Internal burns can damage a person’s internal organs, nerves, and tissue and occur when the electric current takes a path through a person’s bone, burning deep tissue. External burns cause injury to one or more layers of the victim’s skin.
Electrical Fire Injuries
Electrical fires occur when an electric current ignites flammable materials. Electrical fires are always extremely dangerous because putting out an electrical fire with water is difficult, if not impossible. Attempting to put out an electric fire with water could expose a person to a higher risk of electric shock.
Causes of Electrical Injuries in Houston, Texas
When electrical burns happen at work due to third-party negligence or manufacturing, Ceja Law Firm is prepared to help you recover compensation for your injuries. Many electrocution and burn accidents are preventable and only happen because of one or more party’s negligence. Some of the most common causes of electrical injuries in Texas include the following:
- Contact with exposed electrical appliances or wiring parts
- Old or faulty wiring equipment
- Electric cords running under carpeting
- Flammable materials left beside exposed electrical wiring in the workplace
- Loose connectors
- Contact with overhead power lines
- Flash burns from electric arcs
- Failure to de-energize electrical equipment properly prior to work
- Mistakes in wiring or re-wiring
- Misidentified wiring
- Exposure to buried underground power lines
Power Line Accidents
Buried and overhead power lines aren’t always visible on construction sites. Employees who use metal ladders or scaffolding and who work at heights should always be aware of nearby overhead power lines. When excavating, it’s important for construction crews to locate any and all buried power lines. Touching a power line with construction equipment may cause electrocution. When construction companies do not use reasonable care around power lines and innocent victims become injured, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Preventing Electrical Accidents
Employers and building owners should take preventative steps to stop electrical fires and burns from occurring. A lack of prevention devices can cause electrical injuries. Building owners should ensure there are adequate ground fault circuit interrupters that monitor and cut off electrical current when electrical flow fluctuates. They should also use polarized plugs and three-pronged outlets. Additional steps building owners should take the following steps:
- Hiring experienced, qualified electricians to monitor wiring routinely
- Replace old and damaged wiring
- Not overloading electrical outlets
- Not using damaged or frayed electrical cords
- Installing ground fault circuit interrupters
- Using the correct wattage light bulbs in light fixtures
Electrical Burns Can be Painful and Debilitating
Electricution accidents can cause severe injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Burns, muscle pain, and cardiac arrest are common injuries. Burns usually occur when the current passes through a person’s body for enough time to cause extensive tissue damage from the heat generated from the electrical current. Burns can range from superficial burns to third-degree deep tissue destruction.
Muscle pain is another injury caused by electrical shock, occuring when electrical currents travel through a person’s muscle fibers, causing contractions. Cardiac arrest is the most serious injury associated with electrical shock. Cardiac arrest can occur when the shock is strong enough to disrupt the heart’s normal functioning. Early treatment can reduce the risk of long-term complications from an electrocution accident. Unfotunately, even with prompt treatment, a victim of electrocution may pass away due to cardiac arrest.
Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries
Victims of electrocution have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the person or company liable for their injuries. An experienced attorney can help you determine which party or parties are liable for your injuries. A negligent third party could be responsible for creating an unsafe environment resulting in injury.
Landlords who don’t maintain their properties, contractors who fail to take safety measures, or electricians who perform faulty work can be responsible. The property owner can also be held liable for the failure to keep the property safe for custonmers. Finally, the manufacturer may be liable if a defect in the wiring or equipment they produced caused an electrocution. Successful plaintiffs can recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Discuss Your Electrocution Injury Case with a Skilled Attorney in Houston
If you or your loved one have been injured in an electrical accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages from the at-fault party. The attorneys at Ceja Law Firm have the knowledge and experience to guide you through every step of the claims process. We will assist you with every step of your claim, answer your questions, and help you determine the best path forward to obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact Ceja Law Firm to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.
