$2.2 Million Settlement
For Worker Injured By Falling Metal Plates
$1.2 Million Settlement
For Worker Struck By Swinging Equipment
$1.25 Million Settlement
For Worker Injured By Scaffold Collapse
$2.2 Million Settlement
For Worker Injured By Falling Metal Plates
$1.2 Million Settlement
For Worker Struck By Swinging Equipment
$1.25 Million Settlement
For Worker Injured By Scaffold Collapse
Common Injuries Resulting from Electrocution Accidents
Burns
Burns are among the most common injuries from electrocution. Electrical burns can occur at the entry and exit points where the current enters and leaves the body, but the most severe damage often happens internally along the path of the current. These burns can be deep, affecting muscles, nerves, and even bones, and may require extensive medical treatment or surgery. In some cases, thermal burns can also result from contact with overheated electrical equipment or from clothing igniting during the incident.
Heart Issues
Electric current passing through the body can disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm, leading to arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening irregular heartbeat, is a particular risk, and cardiac arrest can occur even without visible burns. Immediate medical attention is critical, as these heart issues can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Neurological Damage
Electrocution can cause significant damage to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Victims may experience seizures, memory loss, personality changes, numbness, tingling, paralysis, or chronic pain. In severe cases, neurological injuries can result in long-term disabilities or impairments that affect daily life.
Muscle and Soft Tissue Injuries
The electrical current can cause involuntary, forceful muscle contractions, sometimes strong enough to break bones or dislocate joints. Muscle tissue may also be directly damaged by the current, leading to swelling, pain, and, in extreme cases, a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which can harm the kidneys due to the release of muscle breakdown products into the bloodstream.
Respiratory Problems
Severe electrical injuries can paralyze the muscles responsible for breathing or cause respiratory arrest. This can happen if the current passes through the chest or affects the brain’s respiratory centers. Victims may require immediate resuscitation and ongoing respiratory support.
Secondary Trauma (Falls and Blunt Injuries)
Electrocution often causes sudden muscle contractions or loss of consciousness, which can lead to falls from ladders, scaffolds, or other heights. These secondary injuries may include fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or internal organ damage, compounding the harm from the initial electrical shock.
Eye and Ear Injuries
Exposure to electrical arcs or flashes can cause serious eye injuries, including cataracts, retinal damage, or even blindness. Loud electrical explosions may also damage hearing, resulting in temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Death
In the most severe cases, electrocution can be fatal. Death may result from cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or severe trauma caused by the electrical current or secondary injuries. Even relatively low-voltage shocks can be deadly if the current passes through vital organs or persists for an extended period.
We feel deeply for anyone significantly impacted by an electrocution accident, and we are here to represent you or your loved ones with honor and empathy every step of the way.
If the wrongful death of a loved one resulted from an electrocution accident, your legal claim can be significant. This generally includes the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses and medical bills, as well as the loss of household income resulting from their death. Wrongful death claims may also include compensation for survivors’ emotional distress. Contact the electrocution accident lawyers at Martin + Colin, P.C. for a free consultation: (914) 771-7711.
Types of Compensation in Electrocution Injury Cases
- Medical Expenses: Emergency room treatment, hospital admissions, surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and any ongoing or long-term healthcare needs related to the injury.
- Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Wages you have already missed, as well as future income you are unable to earn due to the lasting effects of the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain endured, emotional trauma, and any decrease in your overall quality of life resulting from the electrocution incident.
- Punitive Damages: Additional monetary awards granted when the responsible party’s conduct was particularly reckless or outrageous.
Electrocution Accidents in NYC: Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an electrocution accident case?
New York typically permits three (3) years from the date of your electrocution accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death cases (EPT § 5-4.1), surviving family members must typically file within two (2) years of the fatal incident; claims against a government entity usually need to be filed within fifteen (15) months. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within two years of the incident and reported to your employer within 30 days.
Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to seek compensation, so it’s important to act promptly and consult an attorney to ensure your claim is filed on time. Call the personal injury attorneys at Martin+Colin P.C. to begin the process: (914) 771-7711.
I suffered an electrocution while at work. Who is responsible for my medical costs?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets unchanging safety standards for electrical operations. When your employer ignores these protocols, they put you and your coworkers at risk.
After an electrocution incident at work, any or all of the following parties may be held liable:
- Construction site managers who permit or ignore hazardous conditions on their worksite, exposing construction workers to the risk
- General contractors and/or subcontractors who cut corners and fail to maintain a safe working environment
- Electrical parts manufacturers who sell faulty wires, cables, circuit breakers, fuses, switches, outlets, and so forth
- Property owners and/or managers who fail to protect people on their property from electrical dangers
- The power company and/or utilities subsidiary that failed to secure electrical wiring or other dangerous materials
Do I need an electrocution accident lawyer?
While you are entitled to handle your case on your own, working with a skilled personal injury lawyer can have a major impact, often resulting in larger settlements and faster resolutions. Claims involving electrocution are frequently more complex than they initially seem.
Our New York electrocution accident lawyers are dedicated to guiding you through every stage of the legal process. We begin the process by conducting a thorough investigation of your accident. This allows us to collect crucial evidence that demonstrates liability (who is responsible) and damages (what is owed to you).
After establishing who is responsible, we represent your interests in discussions with insurance companies to ensure your claim is properly valued. If a fair agreement cannot be reached, our legal team is ready to take your case to court to pursue the compensation to which you are entitled.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an electrocution accident, call Martin+Colin, P.C. today: (914) 771-7711.
