Guide to Making an Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claim
An electrical injury can significantly reduce a person’s overall quality of life. Injuries can range from minor burns to extensive damage to a person’s skin, nervous system, vision, hearing, and internal organs and even cause death.
In particular, construction workers are susceptible to electrical shock injuries, but anyone can experience them. Therefore, depending upon the circumstances, you might be entitled to an electric shock injury compensation claim.
This guide will explore what to do following electric shock injuries, what forms of compensation you can expect, and more. It’s also essential to have insurance coverage for utility contractors.
Main Reasons Why Electrical Injuries Happen
Electrocution occurs when an active electrical source contacts a person’s body. When delivered by high-voltage sources, they can produce dangerous results.
While anyone can experience electrical shock injuries, they’re the most prevalent on the worksite, with construction workers and electricians being the most susceptible. Electrocution accounts for around 7% of work-related fatalities every year.
Even with better work conditions today than in the past, these injuries still occur. Familiar sources for electrocution on the job site include:
- Frayed or exposed electric wires
- Unsafe or malfunctioning power tools
- Faulty grounded wires
- Poor wiring in devices in electrical appliances
- Defective products
- A failed powerline
- Other safety hazards in the workplace, like poor visibility or clutter
What Types of Injuries Happen the Most?
Death remains the worst outcome of electrocution, and when this happens to a loved one, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer. While nothing can bring a loved one back, personal injury claims can help compensate for lost wages, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
Electrocution can also trigger the following issues:
- Burns ranging from minor to severe
- Extreme nerve damage
- Respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing
- Tissue and muscle damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Muscle spasms
Electrocution may also cause immediate muscle loss, leading to a person falling from high heights. Unfortunately, this occurs quite often in construction work.
What Should You Do Following an Electrical Shock Injury?
Following the incident, you should undertake these five steps to help with your electric shock injury compensation claim:
- Calling 9-1-1: Depending upon your injuries, you or another party may need to call 9-1-1. EMTs can immediately provide healthcare to patients that need it.
- Visit your medical provider: Even if you don’t feel like you need medical attention, you’ll want to visit your medical provider as you can have internal injuries. Your provider can also provide medical reports to help you build your case.
- Take any applicable pictures: Take pictures you can use as evidence. Some examples may include exposed wires, damaged powerlines, physical or property damage, faulty equipment, etc.
- Collect witnesses’ statements and contact information: If there were witnesses present, collect their statements and contact information if you can. These parties can serve as witnesses if a case goes to trial.
- Contact a qualified personal injury lawyer: Finally, you’ll want to contact an experienced lawyer, as they’ll help you obtain the necessary compensation.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
A lawyer can help with your electric shock injury compensation claim in various ways:
Help You Secure More Compensation
Following electrocution, victims can potentially receive compensation beyond medical expenses. Other compensation may include:
- Future medical expenses like physical therapy
- Loss of earnings, reduced earning power, permanent disability, or job rehabilitation
- Travel expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Blow to one’s reputation and more
Help You Avoid Delays or Mistakes
Filing a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim can be difficult if you’ve never done it before. Typically, you’ll need to follow federal and state regulations.
Unfortunately, a minor mistake can make you miss crucial deadlines, causing delays. An attorney will know the requirements you need and can ensure you properly file your paperwork.
Negotiate With the Other Party
An insurance company or employer might not negotiate or offer a fair settlement. Instead, since they know most people don’t have legal expertise or knowledge, they more likely want you to accept a lower settlement.
An attorney can ensure your electric shock injury compensation claim receives the proper attention. In addition, an attorney can negotiate with the other party and apply legal pressure when necessary.
Contact Our Team Today
Accidents happen, and you want to ensure you or your business stays well protected.
At TCE Insurance, we provide financial protection for companies and individuals. We also specialize in industries like construction that see the most electric shock injury compensation claims.
Contact our TCE Insurance team today at 631-894-9793, and discover some examples of general contractor insurance claims!