Electrocution Death and Electrical Shock Injury
Electrocution can lead to death or serious disabilities and is caused by any type of electric shock from exposure to high voltage electricity. Shock from small currents may cause fibrillation in the heart, which can be reversed with a defibrillator. Large currents may cause permanent damage via burns, brain damage and cellular damage.
Who is to Blame for Electrocution?
Human error is a primary cause of electrocution and electrical shock injuries and deaths. Many of the deaths in the US are the result of work place accidents or faulty wiring, and they could have been avoided if properly maintained. Employers, contractors, and subcontractors can all be at fault.
Construction companies, building code inspectors, architects, and electrical engineers can all be at fault for not providing detailed plans and instructions for possible lethal electrical projects.
Companies producing sub-standard electrical manufactured products may be at fault in domestic electrocution and electric shock accidents.
There are many laws that can help a victim of electrocution or the victim’s family receive compensation.
- Workers compensation laws
- Negligence and Personal Injury laws
- Premises liability laws
- Product liability laws
Where does electrocution happen?
Electrocution in the Workplace
In the workplace electrocution can occur due to unsafe working conditions, malfunctioning equipment or defective machinery and tools.
Electrocution in the Home
In the Home electrocutions can occur from malfunctioning or defective products, such as appliances, power tools, medical devices, improper wiring. Children can be electrocuted by unsafe child products. Also, faulty installations or repairs could result in electrocution.
Other Residential Property
On someone else’s property electrocution might happen anywhere that visitors are exposed to dangerous electricity.
Common causes of electric shock or electrocution
- Contact between metal and electricity. For example, this can occur from a ladder touching an exposed electrical current or a powerline.
- Accidental contact with exposed electrical sources. This can occur due to contact with a manufactured product such as an appliance.
- Electrical arc flashed from power lines
- Faulty electrical wiring.
- Lightning - Electrical / Thunder storm
- Consumer Products such as hair dryers, microwaves, and other electrical powered devices.
- Unintentional or accidental contact with a power line. This might happen due to a car accident or at a construction project.
- Commercial kitchen or industrial environment.
Common Injuries Related to Electrocution?
- Brain or nerve damage
- Neuropathy
- Loss of cognitive abilities
- Memory loss
- Broken bones
- Heart damage
- Renal failure
- Respiratory failure
- Cardiac arrest
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Heart fibrillation
- Cataracts (loss of vision)
- Changes in temperament or personality
- Deformity at point of contact
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Ruptured eardrums
- Organ damage
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Seizures
- Severe burns
- Spinal injury
- Unconsciousness
- Weakness
Electrocution Data & Statistics
In the USA each year there are approximately 1000 fatalities and many more burn center admissions due to electrical injuries.
What treatment is available for electrocution injury?
Any time a victim is electrocuted, medical attention must be sought immediately. Survivors of electrocution may have a lengthy and painful road to recovery with overwhelming medical expenses, loss of wages, or permanent disability.
More information concerning treatment can be found here http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/433682-treatment
If you or a loved one has been the victim of electric shock or electrocution due to negligence, please contact the Law Office of Kevin P. Gallagher for a FREE consultation.
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