por Electric shocks can result in serious injuries or fatalities. If you suffered injuries in an electrical shock accident or lost your loved one because of electrocution, you might be entitled to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the parties that caused the accident because of negligence or recklessness or by product defects. Electrical shock accidents cause an average of 1,000 deaths and 30,000 non-fatal injuries each year in the United States. Scroll down to learn more about these types of accidents and the rights you might have.
Can You File an Electrical Shock Accident Lawsuit?
If you were shocked and injured or lost your loved one because of an electrical shock accident, you might be entitled to pursue compensation through a lawsuit against the responsible party. The types of compensation you might be able to recover in this type of lawsuit include the following:
Past and future medical bills
Past and future lost wages
Pain and suffering
Property losses
Disability
Loss of the enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death claims
Other damages
Keep in mind that if you were injured at work, you will have to go through the workers’ compensation system instead of directly suing your employer. However, if a third party’s negligence caused your accident on the worksite, you can pursue a third-party lawsuit against the negligent party while also seeking workers’ compensation benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Common Causes of Electrical Shock Accidents
Some of the common causes of electrical accidents include the following:
Equipment malfunction
Power line failure
Defects during the manufacturing process
Defective design
Poor lighting or maneuverability
Improperly grounded wires
Common Types of Injuries from Electric Shocks
Some of the types of injuries that people commonly suffer when they are shocked include the following:
Nerve damage
Respiratory distress
Cardiac arrest
Burns
Destruction of tissues and muscles
Death
What to Do After an Electrical Shock Accident
After you have suffered an electrical shock, you might be in shock and feel confused. However, there are several steps you can take to facilitate your claim and increase your chances of prevailing. Take the following steps:
Seek immediate medical attention
Take photographs of the hazardous condition that shocked you
Get the names of all witnesses who saw your accident
Retain an experienced injury lawyer
If you can’t gather evidence or take photographs at the scene, ask someone to do it for you if possible. Even if you think that you are fine, you should still see a doctor for a thorough medical examination to check for injuries of which you might not initially be aware.
