Receiving Compensation for Electrical Injuries on The Jobsite

Electrical injuries occur when someone comes in direct contact with an electrical current. The current passes through the body, potentially damaging, skin, bones, organs, muscles, and nerves. Injuries involving electricity come from a variety of sources, yet the most prevalent cases are job-related. If you have sustained injuries while working on a job site, you are entitled to workers’ compensation, and you may also be able to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

The most current data regarding electrical injuries comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which indicates that there were nearly 6,000 fatalities due to electrocution and over 24,000 non-fatal electrical injuries between the years of 1992 and 2013. Statistics also show that:

• 8.3% of all construction related fatalities are by electrocution.
• Contact with overhead power lines is the most common cause of fatal electrocutions.
• About five workers are electrocuted weekly.
• One third of non-fatal injuries resulted from electricity emitted by a tool, lighting fixture, or machine.
• Many falls occur due to contact with even a low voltage source of electricity, causing secondary injuries.

By taking the proper precautions, many of these injuries and fatalities are preventable. On a job site, employers are responsible for the safety of their workers. However, on a construction site and in other similar jobs, the liable party is often not the employer but someone else on the job site. Anyone opting to not exercise reasonable care by taking the proper precautions with electricity puts other workers and the general public in unnecessary danger.

Workers can protect themselves by wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), although this gear must be tested periodically, as electricity eventually breaks down these materials, and even a pinhole can cause significant damage. Appropriate PPE includes:

• Proper foot protection.
• Rubber insulated gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, and blankets.
• An insulated and non-conductive hard hat.

Statistics show that thanks to education and awareness of electrical safety hazards, the rate of injuries involving electricity has decreased over the last couple of decades. However, the danger of electrical injuries still exists for many workers. In many cases, injuries occur due to someone else’s negligence on a job site, and when this happens, the liable party should be held responsible for the damages they have caused.

If you have come into contact with electricity on the job, have a physician perform an examination. There may be internal damage that is not visible. Next, contact a San Jose, CA personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., we will take the time to thoroughly investigate your case, ensuring that you receive the proper workers’ compensation for your injuries and determining whether the responsible party can be held liable for your damages. Call us today at (408) 289-1417 to schedule your free initial consultation.

• Conduction of Electrical Current to and Through the Human Body: A Review
• Introduction to electrical safety