Modern workplaces are powered by electricity, so it’s unsurprising that electrocution accidents cause a large percentage of workplace injuries. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, electrical hazards kill around 300 workers each year and injure more than 4,000. Electrocution accidents are the sixth leading cause of workplace fatalities, and they cost workers millions of dollars.
Des Moines workers can also suffer serious electrocution accidents at work. Contact Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. to discuss your case. A Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyer can travel to meet you from one of our offices in Waterloo or Iowa City. We have helped many injured workers like you, so don’t hesitate to call.
How Workers Are Electrocuted
Almost any worker could suffer an electrocution injury, although they are more common in some injuries than others. Construction has a lot of electrocution injuries due to:
- Accidental contact with a live wire, including an overhead line. For example, an aluminum ladder might be placed against a building but slide out of place to touch a power line, electrocuting the worker.
- Defective power tools, which can electrocute the user. Wet conditions also increase the risk of electrocution for those using the power tools left out in the rain.
- HVAC installation. The power source might not be turned off properly when installing units, leading to accidental electrocution.
- Improper grounding. When wires aren’t properly grounded a worker could easily get zapped.
Many other workers can be electrocuted in a variety of ways. Faulty wires, defective batteries, and malfunctioning computers could all lead to electrocution. Teachers, office workers, and business executives could all suffer a workplace electrocution. There is no occupation 100% safe from the risk of electrocution.
Electrocution Injuries: Serious and Hard to Treat
Any electrical current, no matter how brief, can injure someone. You might suffer from:
- Burns
- Cardiac arrest
- Brain injuries
- Eye injuries
Burns are especially difficult to treat because they might be internal. A doctor can’t see them, so a doctor might overlook them. Only later do you realize something is wrong.
A construction worker can also fall from a great height when they are electrocuted. Return to the example of a worker on a ladder. When they are electrocuted, they could fall to the ground and suffer additional injuries, including concussion, whiplash, fractures, or spinal column injuries.
Hundreds of workers die each year in electrocution accidents. They might immediately die at the scene or later from grievous injuries. We encourage surviving family members to reach out to our firm to see if they can request a death benefit from workers’ compensation.
Workplace Safety: Reducing the Risk of Electrocution
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated detailed standards for various industries to reduce the risk of electrocution. For many workers, they might also receive personal protective equipment (PPE), such as insulated gloves or insulated tools. PPE is common for those who work around live wires.
Employers should also include training on electricity risks and how to minimize them. Employers should perform an electrical assessment to identify the greatest risks on the jobsite.
Unfortunately, even the most detailed regulations can’t prevent accidents. And some employers are lax about meeting OSHA standards. If you are hurt at work, you might be frustrated at safety lapses which lead to electrocution. However instead of suing your employer, you will make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits instead.
What to Do after an Electrocution Injury
Some accidents are immediately traumatizing. If you fell off a ladder, you might writhe on the ground in pain until a coworker comes to help. Other electrocution injuries aren’t apparently serious. You might get a good “jolt” but still feel okay, at least initially.
We highly recommend going to the doctor after an electrocution, no matter how minor. Let your employer know about the accident so they can protect other workers. Also let your doctor know you were electrocuted. They can order tests to see the severity of any injuries.
Can You Receive Compensation?
Yes. Regardless of your industry, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured at work. Iowa requires that virtually all employers have workers’’ compensation. You should receive medical care without cost to you. If you can’t work due to injuries, you should receive disability benefits.
Some electrocution injuries lead to blindness, which is a permanent disability. You might qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits if you lose vision in or both eyes. This is considered a “partial” disability because many blind people can transition to different jobs.
When a worker dies, their family might receive wrongful death benefits. Typically, a surviving spouse can receive benefits for life, or at least until they remarry. We recommend calling our attorney because this type of death claim can represent a large sum of money.
There are certain hurdles to clear with electrocution injuries, however. For example, you’ll need thorough medical documentation of internal organ injuries, like heart damage or brain injuries. An insurer might not believe you are seriously injured simply because they can’t see the injury.
These are no-fault benefits; it shouldn’t matter if you were careless performing your work. You also should receive benefits for as long as you need them. Some employers will push to get you back on light duty as soon as possible, even while you are struggling with pain.
Speak with a Lawyer
Our Des Moines workers’ compensation attorneys have assisted many people get the benefits they are owed under the law. Our firm might also bring a claim against the manufacturer of a defective product or defective PPE. A third-party claim can really boost the amount of compensation you receive after an electrocution accident. We can seek damages for pain and suffering, which are not covered by workers’ compensation, as well as full compensation for lost income.
Call us today to schedule a meeting. Our firm will walk through the claims process and provide advice. If you’ve already had your claim rejected, we can bring an appeal on your behalf.