While we depend on electricity every day, it poses significant dangers. When someone touches a live wire and electrical ground, or two wires at different voltages, an electric current can pass through their body and cause severe injuries. If this happens because another person failed to make the area safe, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. One of our Jackson electrocution lawyers from Pittman, Roberts & Welsh will help you seek the compensation you deserve.
You may be curious about how electrocution happens and how your accident occurred. When you know what happened to you and why, it can help your lawyers build your case in Mississippi.
What Causes Electrocution?
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) lists the following as three main reasons electrocution can happen:
- Unsafe equipment or installation
- Unsafe environment
- Unsafe work practices
They also note the primary causes of electrocution:
- Contact with power lines or live circuits in panels
- Neglected cords and tools
- Lightning
Faulty wiring, not meeting safety regulations, or using tools improperly can also cause shocks.
When electrical conductors aren’t safely handled, people can get hurt. The conductor could lack insulation, which covers the conductors and keeps them from shocking people. Electrical equipment people could come into contact with should be enclosed or guarded to prevent injuries. Only those who are qualified to work with that equipment should have access to that area. Grounding the electrical device or system can help prevent voltage from building up and electrocuting someone.
Pittman, Roberts & Welsh will look into your case and find what went wrong that caused your accident. If your workplace was negligent or the actions of others hurt you, we will make sure you get the justice you deserve.
Electrical Shock Injuries
According to MedlinePlus, the human body is able to conduct electricity and the effects can be devastating. The result can even be deadly. While there may be injuries that one can see after being electrocuted, there may be more serious underlying injuries that require immediate and attentive professional care.
- Heart Injuries. A shock could cause immediate problems or have long-term effects. Electrocution could make someone go into cardiac arrest or cause an irregular heartbeat.
- Electrical Current Damage. When the electricity passes through the person’s body, their muscles, nerves, and tissue could be damaged.
- Burns. Another form of electrocution injury is thermal burns. These occur from arc flashes and blasts. An arc flash is when high voltage currents travel in the air. Contact with a flash can damage the skin and tissue underneath, as well as set clothing on fire. When someone is harmed in this way, they may require skin grafts or amputations.
- Falls. There’s a chance an electrical shock could cause someone to fall. An electrician who’s on a ladder could sustain fall injuries after the shock. Falls are dangerous on their own because they could lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck and spinal cord injuries, and broken arms or legs.
Because these injuries can have permanent consequences, the injured person may not be able to return to work for a long time, or they may not be able to do their job anymore. This can leave them in a stressful situation where they don’t know where their next paycheck will come from. When someone’s negligent actions were the reason for the electrocution, however, you shouldn’t have this financial burden on your shoulders.
Burn Injuries and Mental Health
When you think of recovering from serious injuries, you’re probably thinking about physical treatment like hospitalization and waiting for wounds to heal; however, those who suffer from burn injuries also may need mental health care as well.
Workers who had electrical burns are seven times more likely to have issues with mental health than those who were burned by other causes like fire or chemical exposure. The trauma of the experience can affect them, or the pain and scarring or disfigurement may be the reason why their mental health is harmed. Those with burn injuries can develop the following issues:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acute stress disorder
Because an electric shock can damage the brain, a person may find that they have trouble with focusing, memory, and their mood and demeanor can change.
Mental health care is just as important as physical care. People may need professional help with therapy or medication, so they can deal with their trauma in a healthy way and help them recover. These kinds of treatments can get expensive and some may think they don’t need it or will choose to not do it because of the cost. The Jackson electrocution lawyers from Pittman, Roberts & Welsh will get a comprehensive look at your medical records and will consider your health care costs when determining a settlement amount. You deserve to be able to get the care you need.
We’re Here to Help You
If you’ve suffered from electrocution, you may be facing an intense recovery where you don’t know if you’ll be able to work. We’re going to do everything possible to make sure your financial future is secure. You deserve to have peace of mind that your best interests are being represented. To schedule a consultation that’s free of charge, get in touch with us today.
