Electrocution is a significant cause of accidental death in the workplace. Survivors often suffer serious injuries, require substantial recovery time, and may not be able to resume their former profession.
Our Orlando workplace electrocution lawyer at The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers could help you file a workers’ compensation claim. One of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys could also investigate whether you have a case against a third party and aggressively seek fair compensation from them. We are known for our skillful, effective, and compassionate efforts for our clients, so much so that local law firms and other professionals refer their injured clients to us.
Common Injuries Resulting From Electrocution
Though electrocution is sometimes fatal, most people survive. They may miss work while recovering, and some individuals may suffer some form of permanent injury. If you were electrocuted at your place of work, our attorneys who represent injured workers in Orlando could help protect your legal rights as you heal.
Electrical burns can be moderate to severe, depending on the voltage involved. Coming into contact with high voltage can result in deep burns that destroy tissue and potentially lead to amputations. Even when burns to the skin are less severe, electricity moving through the body can damage nerves, which can cause numbness, paralysis, and permanent loss of function.
The shock of an electrocution can also disrupt the normal heart rhythm, making heart attacks a common complication. Many fatal electrocutions are the result of heart failure. Electrocution can cause delayed arrhythmias, so initial treatment usually includes intensive monitoring and drugs to stabilize your heart rhythm.
The Workers at Greatest Risk of Electrocution
People who work directly with electricity, such as electricians and people who install electrical wiring, are the most likely to die of electrocution, according to data compiled by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). Less than 10 percent of workplace electrocutions are fatal, and most electrocution injuries occur among people in other trades and professions.
The ESFI data shows that most electrocution incidents involve:
- Construction workers
- Landscapers
- Agricultural workers
- People who work on power lines
- Tree trimmers
Contact with overhead power lines is the most common cause of worker electrocutions. However, you can accidentally come in contact with live electricity in almost any setting, from restaurants and retail establishments to offices and factories.
If you were electrocuted while on the job, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. You may also have a legal claim against a third party. One of our lawyers in Orlando could help you understand your rights and options after sustaining an electrical injury while at work.
What Are Your Legal Options?
Most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, with exceptions for employers with fewer than four workers and some small farms, making it likely that your employer provides coverage. In some circumstances, you may be able to hold a third party liable for your injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation will pay a portion of your wages while you recover from your injuries and cannot work. It will also cover your medical expenses until you reach maximum medical improvement. At that point, the workers’ compensation insurer will assess your condition to determine whether you have a permanent loss of function that merits a payment for permanent impairment or total disability under Florida Statutes § 440.15.
The disability determination is often contentious, and you may disagree with the workers’ compensation doctor’s findings. Our attorney could help you dispute the doctor’s decision if you believe your job-related electrocution injury in Orlando has disabled you.
Third-Party Lawsuit
The law prevents you from suing your employer for a work-related injury, but many electrocutions involve the negligence of a third party. We could investigate this possibility, and if we find evidence that a third party’s carelessness contributed to your injuries, we could file a lawsuit against them to recover financial damages.
If a third party is liable, you could claim reimbursement of the portion of your wages that workers’ compensation does not cover. You could also receive a settlement to make up for your reduced future earnings. In addition to financial losses, you could pursue damages for your physical pain, emotional suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Call an Orlando Attorney After Getting Electrocuted at Work
An electrocution at work can lead to permanently disabling injuries. Even if you recover fully, you deserve compensation for the harm you suffered. At Colling Gilbert Wright, we aggressively pursue justice for our clients to ensure they get the compensation the law entitles them to.
If you need to speak to an Orlando workplace electrocution lawyer, we are here to listen. We never charge unless we win your case. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.