Electrocution

Generally there are four types of electrical injuries, and the most severe is electrocution, which is fatal. The other three injuries that electricity can cause are electric shock, burns, and falls resulting from contact with an electrical current.

The main cause of death in construction is electrocution, which has over the years been responsible for 20% of all construction fatalities. Wiring electricity in a home or building when there is non-insulated wiring or substandard wiring can be very dangerous as can be coming in contact with power lines. Accidents have occurred when workers have driven cranes near overhead power lines or have used metal enforced hydraulic hoses or scaffolds near power lines.  When power lines are down because of a thunderstorm, ice storm or similar natural occurrences, people are in danger of becoming electrocuted. Electrical companies take precautions not to run power lines too close to a house and to fix power lines blown down by a storm. They are also responsible to follow industry standards when erecting power lines and make sure lines are properly marked so aircraft can see them.

Electrocution can occur in other ways, such as through use of faulty electrical appliances like power tools, hair blowers, and other household appliances.

Whether a manufacturer or power company, when a third party is responsible for hazardous conditions, and as a result electrocution or electrical injuries occur, there may be grounds for legal action.

At Davis, Bethune & Jones our attorneys have experience in litigating electrocution and electrical injury cases. Several noteworthy cases we litigated include a $30 million verdict awarded to a carpenter who was electrically shocked when the electrical subcontractor failed to turn off the electricity at a construction site and a $6.8 million verdict for a man who was electrically shocked while unloading a crane as the crane swung into overhead power lines.

If you have suffered severe electrical injuries or a family member has died through electrocution, please call our office at 1-800- 875-5972 to arrange an appointment to discuss your case.