The dedicated individuals who work on construction sites and around utilities are essential to keeping the world around us running smoothly. But when these workers are hurt on the job, their injuries can quickly be catastrophic, even deadly. Electrocution, in particular, is a very serious—and unfortunately common—catastrophic injury in these occupations. It can lead to major injuries and permanent disabilities that prevent an individual’s ability to return to work.
The attorneys of Yarborough Applegate know on-the-job electrocution injury cases. We are advocates for workers and their families after they have encountered the unthinkable, fighting passionately for the recognition and compensation they deserve following a catastrophic workplace injury.
From securing a $35.9 million jury verdict for a construction worker who was electrocuted at a Pepco powerhouse in Montgomery County, Maryland, to helping the family of a landscaper who was killed after being shocked by a Dominion Energy power line hold the utility accountable with a $21 million verdict, our team is adept at investigating and navigating these intricate cases.
WHY ARE ELECTROCUTION INJURIES SO DANGEROUS?
Electrocution is one of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Fatal Four” leading causes of death at construction sites, along with falls, being struck by objects, and being caught in or in-between a trench or excavation.
While contact with electricity is typically traumatic in and of itself, electrocution injuries notoriously become catastrophic—if not deadly—when they cause a victim to fall from a great height. Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in construction and utility worksite electrocution injuries, given the nature of the work. Electrocution injuries sustained by workers can range from broken bones, amputations, complex fractures, and lacerations to debilitating nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF ELECTROCUTION ON CONSTRUCTION SITES?
Some of the most common causes of electrocution on construction sites are:
- Improper grounding
- Exposed electrical parts
- Inadequate wiring
- Damaged insulation
- Overloaded circuits
- Damaged tools and equipment
- Wet conditions
- Overhead power lines
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ELECTROCUTION INJURY?
All workers deserve a safe, secure place to work. And for those in physically-demanding construction and utility jobs, a safe jobsite can be the difference between going home to one’s family and suffering debilitating injury or death. To help ensure workplace safety for all, employers nationwide are subject to OSHA regulations. But when an employer is negligent or has failed to abide by these policies and procedures, it’s important for workers and their families to know their options.
If you or a loved one has been electrocuted at work, contact a dedicated accident attorney like Yarborough Applegate immediately. Your call to us is always free. After hearing more details about the situation, we can help determine if you have a case. While many are aware that workers compensation is an avenue for financial recovery, you may have additional third-party claim options to pursue. An experienced construction and utility injury attorney can help determine who else might bear responsibility for your injury and help hold them accountable for your suffering.
Disclaimer: Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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