Electrical Accidents and Burn Injuries

The injuries sustained in a burn, or an electrical accident is among some of the most painful injuries. Even though some of the burn and electrical injuries can be non-life threatening, depending on the severity of the burn, rehabilitation can take a long time.
Some accidents can leave permanent injuries, and some may even be fatal. Our highly experienced lawyers are committed to helping investigate the liable parties responsible for those injured in an electrical accident or that sustained burn injuries.

Electrical Accidents

Electrocutions are fatal injuries, often resulting in serious burns to the body. They usually have a point of entry and tend to leave an exit wound. The point of entry could be but is not limited to an arm, leg or torso. Electrocution is the second principle cause of death for construction workers in the United States. Roughly 400 people die of electrocutions each year. Although many factors are involved in the cause of an electrical accident, the most common are defective wiring due to poor maintenance, manufacturing, or designing.
The three main types of electrical accidents include:

  • Electrical Shock – Which often occurs when a body part (finger, hand or arm) is positioned across an electrical current. Because the body is made up mostly water, it becomes a good conductor for the electrical current.
  • Moderate shock – may cause muscles to contract and thus limit the ability to pull away.
  • Severe electrical shock – may lead to respiratory or heart failure

Some of the most common electrical accidents include

Electrical Burns

Often follows a severe electrical shock. This can cause the tissues to burn and in some cases depending on whether the electrical currents path was through bone or deep tissue it may cause internal burn damage.

Electrical Fires

Is often a result of an electrical current igniting flammable material. Commonly leads to electrical shock

Construction Electrical Safety

The most common dangers in the construction industry that often contributes to electrical accidents are overhead or buried power lines. The employer should put the priority of meeting deadlines or profits aside and educate workers on the risks of electrical accidents in a health and safety program. Employers should also adhere to the regulations that govern electricity as mandated by the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA).
It should be made clear to all workers and supervisors that any electrical equipment with frayed or battered cords and broken tool casings be discarded immediately. Non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladders are also professionally advised to be used when working near power lines.

Electrical Burns

A severe electrical burn injury can be life threatening. The skin can be crucial for survival seeing as it is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for protecting the functions of the smaller internal structures.  The US Fire Administration (USFA) report over two million burn injuries each year in the United States with approximately eight to ten thousand resulting in death. Further statistics indicate that approximately 1,000 people die from electrical burns each year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention every year.
Although minor electrical burns can be easily treated with basic first aid, serious or grave electrical burn injuries can leave behind pain, scarring, disfigurement and disability or any number of injuries that might last a lifetime.  Additionally, electrical burns depending on the severity are considered to be the most expensive form of injury to treat as they may require long-term rehabilitation or extensive care.

Types of Electrical Burns

There many factors involved in the causes of burns. The two primary levels of electrical burns are:

  • Burns from a low voltage
    • Caused by contact with any power source that is of 500 volts or less. Commonly causes minor injury limited to the skin
      Burns from a high voltage
  • Caused by contact with any high voltage electrical power source
    • Can cause damage to internal organs and tissues as the current runs through the body
    • Can produce misleading skin damage

The four most common types of electrical burns:

True Electrical Burns

  • Occurs when electricity enters the body (often through the hand, arm or finger) and exits leaving behind an apparent exit wound. This can lead to a grave injury as internal organs are at risk. Immediate medical treatment is advised.

Electrical Arcs

  • Occurs when the electricity skips its source of the ground and rather passes through a person. This is commonly caused by contact with a high voltage power line and can, therefore, result in multiple injuries

Flash Burns

  • An electrical arc is created on the skin causing one to suffer a flash burn. Does not penetrate the skin but can leave large burn areas to the body

Flame Burns

  • Caused by a sparked electrical charge. Can lead to electrical shock and fire, thus placing high risk on workers to suffer fatal burn injuries

Burn and Electrical Injury Attorney

Electrical accidents and burn injuries can be fatal; they can leave life long damages and treatment can be costly. Let us help you investigate the liable parties and ensure you are compensated for your lost income. If you or a loved sustained injuries in an electrical accident or suffered burn injuries, contact our investigating lawyers now for a free case evaluation.