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Injured in an Electrical Accident at Work?

Injured in an Electrical Accident at Work

The electrical field can be dangerous, so employers need to provide adequate safety measures and training to avoid an electrical accident. Still, electrical injuries are among the most common types of workplace injuries in America year to year. If you were hurt in an electrical accident at the workplace in Georgia, The Angell Law Firm can help.

When such injuries occur, the employer may be liable for damages due to negligence. These damages can compensate victims for the cost of medical treatment, lost wages and help improve future conditions. In addition, in cases of electrical fatalities, the law may entitle the victim’s family members to restitution.

If you suffered an injury in an electrical accident in the workplace, it might be challenging to determine how to proceed. Fortunately, Attorney Bryce Angell and his team have years of experience successfully handling electrical injury claims in Georgia.

What Constitutes an Electrical Injury?

While electric shock is likely the first thing to come to mind when considering electrical accidents in the workplace, the potential injuries go far beyond this. For example, if an electrical hazard causes an explosion or fire that injures you, this may be considered an electrical injury even if no direct shock occurred.

Symptoms of Electrical Injuries

Because electrical injuries can occur in various ways, the symptoms can also vary dramatically. While burns are the most apparent signs of electrical damage, strong electrical currents can impact nearly the entire body. Many victims of electrical injuries experience headaches and confusion, with hearing loss also occurring in some cases.

Additionally, electric currents significantly impact muscles, causing them to contract or spasm rapidly. This factor can lead to pulled muscles and soreness, but the more pressing concern in this regard is the heart. Essentially a large muscle, your heart is highly vulnerable to electric currents, strong enough shocks are capable of causing arrhythmia or even cardiac arrest.

The medical expenses from electrical injuries can be a significant burden, especially if the injuries require you to miss work. Therefore, it’s essential to pursue options for legal recourse to help with the costs.

Electrical Accident at Work Electrical Hazards That Can Lead to Injury

A wide range of electrical hazards may be present in the workplace. All of these hazards may indicate that your employer displayed negligence, so read the following sections carefully to determine if any of them apply to your situation.

Frayed or Exposed Wires

While wires often carry significant power levels, the external layer protects those in the vicinity by insulating the current. However, if the outer layer is damaged or worn, gaps can appear that can deliver an electrical shock to anyone handling the wires. While this level of fraying typically takes years, specific damage or even interference from wildlife can speed the process along.

This type of damage is always a concern and should be addressed during regular safety inspections, so frayed wires may constitute negligence in some circumstances.

Faulty Power Lines

Responsible for carrying enough power to supply multiple buildings with electricity, power lines can be highly hazardous even when properly maintained. This hazard is why the federal government requires utility companies to follow the National Electrical Safety Code which outlines the minimum heights needed for the lines and who can work with them.

These regulations prevent many electrical accidents, primarily by ensuring the power lines are a safe distance away from most workers. However, a dangerous situation can arise if these power lines begin to drop to the ground due to age or damage.

If the employer does not address the situation or makes an unqualified employee work near them, and an electrical injury occurs, the law may find the employer negligent.

Proximity to Water

Another common reason for electrical accidents in the workplace is wet equipment or proximity to water. Water is highly conductive, which means electrical currents efficiently pass through it. If water spreads across the floor of an area, even a single touch by a live wire can render the entire area electrically active.

Additionally, working in wet conditions makes it more likely for workers or equipment to slip and fall, potentially exposing them to electrical injury. The presence of water can render typically safe equipment extremely hazardous, so this is a crucial factor to mention when speaking to an attorney about your electrical injury.

Overloaded Equipment

When working with any electrical equipment, it’s essential to check and follow the load rating for the device. Even standard extension cords or power strips can become significant electrocution risks when overloaded. If your employer regularly ignored recommended wattage or voltage limits for the devices in your workplace, you may have a negligence case.

Ungrounded Power

Grounding is essential to ensuring safety when interacting with any high-voltage power system. Grounding protects workers from severe or fatal electrical injuries by returning excess voltage to the earth. Failure to employ proper grounding can result in electrical fatalities, so this type of negligence is especially severe.

Get Expert Assistance Today

Electrical accidents in the workplace can cause significant pain and anguish as well as financial concerns. Because electrical injuries can have lasting impacts on your health, it’s essential to plan for long-term treatment by taking advantage of the legal recourse available to you. Bryce Angell is an excellent choice for employees in Georgia dealing with an electrical injury case against their employer. Call The Angell Law Firm at (770) 217-4954 for a free case evaluation.

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