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.
Contact the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook
Electrical injuries can cause substantial pain, extensive burns, and permanent disabilities. In some cases, the victims can be killed. If you were seriously injured in an electrical accident or lost your loved one to electrocution, you should speak to the attorneys at the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook. Schedule a free consultation by calling 479-783-8000 (Fort Smith), 918-912-2132 (Tulsa), or 479-455-2210 (Fayetteville).
