Electrocution is the fifth leading cause of employment-related fatalities in the United States. Employees who suffer electrocution injuries at work can sustain broken bones, severe burns, heart attack, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, scarring, permanent disabilities, and neurological damage. Each year, more than 400 people die because of electrocution injuries in the workplace. It is important to know the common symptoms of electrocution:

    • Seizures
    • Weakness
    • Cardiac arrest
    • Muscle pain
    • Headaches
    • Unconsciousness
    • Hearing loss

Immediate medical attention is required for electric shocks or electrocution injuries.

Common Causes of Electrocution in The Workplace

There are many reasons why an employee could suffer a work-related electrical injury. Employees who work directly with electricity, such as electricians, utility workers, and construction workers, are at the highest risk for electrocution injuries. However, any employee can suffer an electrical injury at work. All employers should take precautions and implement safety programs to protect employees from this type of work-related injury. Common reasons for work-related electrical injuries include:

    • Overloaded or damaged circuits
    • Wet conditions
    • Downed or damaged power lines
    • Exposed electrical parts
    • Defective products
    • Electrical wiring problems or exposed electric wires
    • Improperly installed electric lines

Electrocution Injuries in the Workplace

An employee can suffer a variety of injuries from electrocution in the workplace. Common injuries include:

    • Musculoskeletal injuries from prolonged contraction can also result in kidney damage.
    • If a current passes through the body, it can result in damage to the central nervous system. Spinal cord and brain damage from electrocution can result in amnesia, confusion, damage to peripheral nerves, seizures, and psychiatric problems.
    • The respiratory system can be damaged if the current passes through the chest or damages the area of the brain that controls the respiratory system.
    • Electrocution can result in damage to the cardiovascular system that can result in asystole or ventricular fibrillation which can lead to death.
    • Electrocution can also cause extensive and severe burns to all areas of the body.

Call a Boca Raton Workers Comp Attorney for Help

If you have suffered an electrocution injury at work, you are entitled to receive workers’ comp benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws. Furthermore, if your injury was caused by a defective product or third party, you may also have a valid third-party claim under Florida’s personal injury laws. It is important to investigate how the electrocution injury occurred to determine the claims that you should file because each type of claim has specific benefits that may not be available from a workers’ comp claim. To learn more about filing claims for work-related electrocution injuries, contact The Broderick Law Firm, P.L. You can reach our office by telephone at 1-800-333-3903 to speak with an attorney. We represent individuals in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale & Miami, FL.