Dealing with Electrical Shock Injury at Home or in the Work Place
The sad reality is that the
human body is a good conductor or electricity. It’s why approximately 1,000 people die annually in the US because of
electrocution, with children accounting for a bigger part of that percentage.
According to the Electrical
Safety Foundation International (ESFI), home electrical fires are responsible
for more than 51,000 fires annually. If proper fire safety protocols aren’t
maintained, people can be hurt both at work and at home.
Electric shock injuries often
arise due to the curious exploration of electricity, accidents at work or home,
or even malfunctions in devices. When an electric injury happens because of
someone else’s negligence or recklessness (like a defective product, lack of
maintenance or poor electrical services), you or your loved one may be entitled
to compensation for your losses.
A personal injury claim
allows you to seek compensation for your losses. In a personal injury claim,
you can seek damages for:
●
Lost wages
●
Medical bills
●
Pain and suffering
If your loved one has died
due to electrocution, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on
their behalf and sue for damages. In which case, you may get a settlement for
funeral and burial costs as well as the loss of financial support.
Filing a claim after an electrical shock injury
Any person who sustains electrical burns due to someone else’s fault can file a
personal injury suit for compensation. The liable party may be responsible for
the victim’s damages. In these types of lawsuits, the victim seeks compensation
for their injuries and losses. In addition to medical bills, lost wages from
missed work and pain and suffering, a victim may also recover future loss of
earnings as well as any other related expenses and losses.
Damages available in an electrical burn claim
This will depend on the
severity of the injuries and if they were fatal. When one is injured, the
settlement is meant to put the victim into the same position they would have
been hadn’t there been an accident. Compensatory damages in a suit include both
monetary and non-monetary damages like medical expenses, medical supplies,
emergency medical treatment, prescription meds, physical therapy. Lost wages,
lost earning ability, emotional pain, loss of consortium, pain and suffering,
court cost, and emotional pain. Punitive damages may also be available.
What to do after electrical accidents
Electrical accidents can vary
from a harmless shock to a severe jolt. Any person who suffers an electrical
shock should get medical help if they showcase the following signs or symptoms:
confusion, severe burns, seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing,
cardiac arrest, chest pain, and heart problem. Following an electrical shock,
the victim shouldn’t be touched if they are still in contact with the
electricity source. Instead, the person helping the victim should switch off all
electricity sources first.
If the victim is injured,
they should get immediate medical help. It is also essential for the victim or
their family members to call a personal injury lawyer who deals with electrical
accidents. An attorney can help navigate the claim process, handle the insurance
provider, and fight to obtain full compensation for the injured victim and
their family.
