Electrocution & Burn Injuries

Electrical accidents occur most frequently in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics, electrocution is the fifth leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S. Over 500 workers annually die by electrocution on the jobsite. Employees whose jobs place them in close proximity to electrical sources are at high risk for electrocution or electrical burns and other injuries.

Those who experience an electrical injury on the jobsite anywhere in the state of Maine may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In the state of Maine, nearly all public and private employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This form of insurance provides benefits for employees who experience an injury that arises out of and in the course of their employment. All employees must notify their supervisor within 30 days of the injury, and the employee must either require medical attention or miss time from work to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation insurance will cover medical bills and a portion of lost wages of the injured employee. Further, employees are protected from retaliation for filing a claim and the employer is required to hold their job for a certain period of time to allow for recovery.

Employees working in the following fields have been identified as having a high risk of electrocution or electrical accidents:

• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Utility workers
• Manufacturing workers

Overhead power lines are the number one cause of electrocution fatalities, so all those whose jobs require them come into contact with or work close to overhead power lines are at an exceptional risk for electrocution.

Electric shock can occur as a result of ungrounded power supplies, a lack of safety gear on machines, wears or tears in machines or wiring, and contact with overhead or underground electrical cords.

Common electric shock injuries include:

• Tissue, nerve, and muscle damage
• Burns
• Respiratory and cardiac arrest
• Organ damage
• Brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Neurological damage
• Heat attack
• Internal bleeding
• Wrongful death by electrocution

Burn injuries are not solely caused by fires. Electrical explosions, accidents, chemical exposure, workplace accidents, and defective products can also cause burns. Electrical burns are often severe and can cause:

• Loss of taste, sight, smell, or hearing
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Infection
• Nerve and tissue damage
• Inhalation injuries

Employees injured in an electric shock accident will often incur substantial medical bills, experience an extended recovery time that will make maintaining work obligations impossible, and often experience troubling psychological or emotional side effects. Regardless of who was at fault, Maine employees injured in electrical accidents may pursue benefits through workers’ compensation. Additionally, family members who lose a loved one due to electrocution may pursue death benefits through workers’ compensation insurance.

The workers’ compensation process is not always easy, and often the insurer will attempt to deny coverage or limit benefits. All injured employees, and particularly those who have experienced an injury that will result in disability, should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney who can ensure they receive all the benefits to which they are entitled.

At Maine Employee Rights Group, our knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced attorney team has spent decades assisting injured workers in receiving top benefits with as little stress as possible. We operate on a contingency fee basis and offer several convenient meeting locations. Call us today at 207.874.0905 for a consultation.