Electricity is safe when its flow is controlled, but it is dangerous or deadly if the flow overreaches its bounds. Every year, over 4,000 injuries and 1,000 deaths occur in the U.S. due to electrocution.
Construction workers are at a high risk of electrocution, which is second only to falls as the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Electrical shocks are a common cause of injury on the job in other industries as well.
Moreover, electrical injuries at home send thousands of Americans to the emergency room every year. Shocks from electrical outlets, power cords, appliances, and power tools are common causes for injury to children and adults within residences.
Sometimes, electrical accidents are just that – accidents. However, in certain cases people get hurt due to the negligence of others. When this happens, you can fight back to secure needed compensation.
In this post, we’re going to detail common electrical injuries and their causes, then tell you how to get help if you’ve been injured.
Common Electrical Injuries in Florida
Burns are the most common type of injury from electrical shocks. The burns may cause more internal damage to tissues and muscle than on the surface of the skin. That’s why it’s essential to seek medical treatment right away if you think you have an electrical injury.
Other common injuries from electrocution include the following:
- Damage to the heart
- Damage to the nerves
- Seizures
- Loss of limbs
- Coordination or balance problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Lack of ability to concentrate
- Memory loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Symptoms of electrocution include visible burns, abnormal heart rhythm, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and broken bones.
These injuries can permanently affect your quality of life, and you shouldn’t be forced to pay all the costs if your injuries were linked to someone else’s negligence.
Common Causes of Florida Electrocution
These are the most common reasons electrocution occurs.
- Power lines are exposed
- Power is not shut off before work begins
- Ladder comes into contact with power source
- Electricity flows through water
- Electric shock from motor vehicle battery
- Faulty appliance or power tool
- Lightning
Electrocution causes can be grouped into four types:
Flash—Caused by an arc flash. Normally, only superficial injuries result on the skin’s surface.
Flame—An arc flash ignites clothing. Injuries may occur on the skin’s surface and deeper tissues.
True—A person becomes part of the electrical circuit, with an entry and exit point.
Lightning—A current flows through a person’s entire body.
Both low-voltage and high-voltage electrocution can cause significant injury, according to the period length of exposure.
If you experienced an injury because someone acted with negligence and created scenario like the ones described above, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Legal Assistance for Florida Electrical Injuries
An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help you fight for compensation if you were injured by electrocution on the job or through someone else’s negligence.
We can help determine who is liable for your injuries. The possible parties include employers, contractors, property owners, manufacturers, or utility companies. You will benefit from working with a lawyer who has successfully handled other cases like yours.
With the help of a skilled attorney, you can receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Call today for your free consultation. We will work hard to secure the compensation you deserve.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2017 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – and was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite” and as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
