Workplace accidents can happen often, especially at dangerous locations like construction sites. Among the many accidents that occur on construction sites, electrocutions are some of the most common.
If you or a loved one has been electrocuted on a construction site, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys will do everything necessary to ensure the responsible party is held liable for your injuries. To learn how we can assist you with your case, contact Hale & Monico for a complimentary consultation.
What happens when someone is electrocuted?
Being electrocuted can be scary and painful. When an individual is electrocuted, an electric current passes through the body. This current causes muscles to contract, often resulting in a frozen-like state for the victim. Electrocutions can result in several issues for victims, from severe injuries to death.
How Construction Electrocutions Occur
Construction sites are inherently dangerous. Electrocutions are among the many types of accidents likely to happen on a construction site.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has shared their “fatal four,” meaning the four types of workplace accidents resulting in the most injuries and death. OSHA’s fatal four include electrocutions, falls, struck-by accidents, and caught-in-between accidents.
Because of the common occurrence of electrocution accidents on worksites, OSHA provides specific regulations regarding electrical use in an attempt to keep workers safe and free from harm.
According to OSHA, some of the most common causes of electrocution accidents on construction sites include:
- Contact with power lines
- Missing or discontinuous path to ground
- Improper use of extension cords
- Improper use of equipment
- Lack of ground-fault protection
No matter the cause of the accident, one detail remains true: electrocution accidents can produce severe injury to victims.
Injuries Caused by Electrocutions
While many believe burns are the main type of injury electrocution can cause, burns are only one of many potential injuries. Electrocution puts the body through major stress.
Some of the most common injuries resulting from electrocution include:
- Internal and external burns
- Cardiac arrest
- Injury to the nervous system
- Organ damage and failure
- Fractured and broken bones
- Muscle spasms
The effects of electrocution can last well into the future. Being electrocuted can leave a victim facing long-term issues, including:
- Brain injuries
- Heart problems
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Vision problems
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
The severity of injuries caused by electrocution accidents on construction sites typically depends on several factors, including the following:
- Voltage
- Type of current
- The path of the electrical current through the victim’s body
- The length of time the victim was in contact with the source
- The status of the victim’s health at the time of the accident
Additionally, if you’re sweaty at the time of an electrocution accident, this can make the resulting shock and injuries worse. Water is conductive, and sweat, because of the added salinity, is even more conductive.
Liability for Electrocution Accidents on Construction Sites
Determining liability for electrocution accidents on construction sites can be challenging. There are also certain details to consider when figuring out how to proceed with your case to pursue compensation.
Illinois law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If an employee covered by workers’ comp suffers injuries from a workplace accident, they must file a claim to receive compensation and benefits.
Workers’ comp is a type of no-fault insurance. When an employee is covered by workers’ compensation insurance and receives benefits after a work accident, they cannot hold their employer liable for their accident.
If someone other than your employer is liable, though, you may have a chance to pursue compensation from a third party.
To establish liability, you will have to prove the third party’s negligence caused your accident and resulted in injuries and losses.
While determining liability for electrocution accidents on construction sites can be tricky, a personal injury attorney has the knowledge and skills to help you establish a third party’s negligence and pursue compensation for your injuries. Determining who is responsible for someone being electrocuted requires a quick investigation. Our investigators are trained and ready to pull permits, interview witnesses, document the scene, and investigate all potentially responsible parties.
Collecting Compensation for Electrocution Accidents
Suffering an electrocution accident leaves you not only with injuries but also with extensive financial burdens. Seeking damages for your losses can help relieve some of the stress. Damages for a personal injury claim after an electrocution accident can include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Your Chicago personal injury attorney can thoroughly examine certain details to calculate the value of your case. Once you know how much your case is worth, your lawyer will fight for just compensation on your behalf.
Time Limits for Electrocution Cases
After sustaining injuries in an electrocution accident, consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Illinois law imposes limitations on a victim’s ability to file a lawsuit. For personal injuries, you have two years from the date of the incident to file your claim.
Discussing your case with a Chicago personal injury lawyer helps ensure your case is handled in a timely manner.
Contact Hale & Monico Today to Speak with a Qualified Chicago Personal Injury Attorney
Hale & Monico is dedicated to helping injured clients in Chicago seek the justice they deserve. Our lawyers are passionate advocates, utilizing their knowledge and extensive experience to pursue the most favorable outcomes in every case.
Our firm offers free confidential consultations. Contact us today to schedule a meeting with one of our Chicago personal injury attorneys.