Electrocution accidents are some of the most sudden and devastating injuries a person can experience. Live wires, unsafe construction zones, defective equipment, or simple workplace negligence can turn an ordinary day into a life-threatening emergency.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), an average of 150 workers lose their lives each year due to contact with electricity, making it one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. In fact, 74% of these tragedies occur in occupations not directly tied to electrical work, showing that nearly anyone can be at risk. The consequences are often severe, ranging from burns and nerve damage to fatal organ failure, leaving victims and their families facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
In this article, we’ll break down what to do after an electrical injury, how compensation is determined, the most common electrocution injuries, and why working with an electrocution injury lawyer is often the key to securing justice.
Aside from the typical burn associated with electrocution, electricity can travel through the body, damaging tissues and organs in ways that aren’t always visible right away. The effects depend on the voltage, type of current, and how long the body is exposed:
Burns are the most frequent result of electrical contact. They can range from superficial skin injuries to deep tissue destruction requiring surgery. Along with burns, victims often suffer nerve damage that leads to chronic pain, weakness, or loss of sensation.
In the most severe cases, electric shock can cause immediate cardiac arrest.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the hands, head, and arms are the body parts most often injured in electrical accidents. Hands alone account for over three times more injuries than the head and five times more than the arms. This makes sense since workers often use their hands to handle tools, cords, or enclosures that may unintentionally be energized.
Head injuries occur less frequently but are usually more severe. They often happen when someone leans too close to energized equipment, bends to reach a tool, or comes into contact with an overhead power line. Electrical contact to the head can have devastating effects on the brain and central nervous system.
Arm injuries are commonly linked to energized work as well, often caused by blind reaching or failing to protect the entire limb when only gloves are provided. Without proper protective equipment, current traveling through the arms can damage nerves, muscles, and blood vessels, sometimes leading to long-term weakness or mobility issues.
When someone suffers an electrical injury, figuring out who is responsible can feel overwhelming. But knowing your legal rights is the first step toward getting the help you need.
Several parties may be held liable, depending on where and how the accident happened:
All of these parties have a legal duty of care, meaning they must take reasonable steps to prevent harm. When they fail to meet that duty, and someone gets hurt as a result, that’s negligence. In electrical safety cases, negligence often involves:
The moments after an electrical shock can determine how well someone recovers. Acting quickly can help protect both your health and your legal case.
Even if you feel fine, get checked by a doctor right away. Electrical injuries can cause hidden damage to your heart, nerves, or internal organs that may not show symptoms for hours or even days.
Tell the doctor exactly what happened, including how long you were in contact and what type of equipment was involved. This information will be recorded in your medical chart and may become important evidence later.
If the injury happened at work, notify your employer immediately. Under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, certain electrical accidents must be reported within specific timeframes, especially if they result in hospitalization or death. Your employer is required to investigate and document the incident.
If they fail to do so, that can become part of your case.
If the shock occurred on someone else’s property or involved a defective product, report it to the property owner or manufacturer. Keep a copy of any reports you file.
Take photos of the scene if you’re able. Capture the equipment, wiring, any warning signs (or lack of them), and your injuries. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information. Save any clothing or gear you were wearing at the time, as burn marks or damage patterns can help experts reconstruct what happened.
Collect all medical records, bills, and any communication with your employer or insurance company. These documents build the foundation of your claim.
Many people wait too long to reach out for legal help.
But the sooner you involve an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case. An electrocution injury lawyer can handle communication with insurance companies, prevent you from making statements that could hurt your claim, and start investigating while details are still fresh.
The financial impact of an electrical injury can be staggering. Medical bills pile up fast, especially when surgeries, skin grafts, or long-term rehabilitation are involved. Many victims can’t return to work for weeks, months, or at all. That lost income adds to the strain.
Compensation in these cases can cover:
Settlement amounts depend on several factors. The severity of your injuries plays a big role, as do the strength of the liability evidence and how the injury affects your ability to work and live independently. Cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement tend to result in higher compensation, as do cases where negligence is clear and well-documented.
Every case is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But an experienced electrocution injury attorney can help you understand what your case may be worth and fight to make sure you’re not shortchanged.
Electrical injuries are complicated, and proving them in a legal setting comes with unique obstacles:
Here’s where expert testimony is crucial.
Medical professionals can explain how electricity travels through the body and what kind of damage it causes. Electrical engineers or safety experts can analyze the scene, review equipment, and testify about what went wrong. Investigators can trace the source of the shock and identify who failed to take proper safety measures.
Without this kind of support, it’s hard to prove your case on your own.
Handling an electrocution case requires more than just filing paperwork. It takes investigation, technical knowledge, and the ability to stand up to powerful companies and their legal teams.
An electrocution injury lawyer starts by investigating the cause of the accident. They’ll review incident reports, inspect the scene, and identify all parties who may share responsibility. This often involves working with experts who can analyze equipment, wiring, or safety protocols to determine what went wrong and who failed to act.
Your attorney will also gather and organize medical evidence, working with doctors to document the full scope of your injuries. This includes current treatment, future care needs, and how the injury affects your daily life.
When it comes time to negotiate, insurance companies will try to settle for as little as possible. Your lawyer knows the tactics they use and won’t let you be pressured into accepting less than you deserve. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, they’ll take your case to trial and present the evidence in front of a jury.
You shouldn’t have to navigate this process alone, especially while recovering from a serious injury.
At Thompson Law, we understand how life-changing an electrocution injury can be. We’ve represented clients in catastrophic injury cases for years, and we know what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable.
Our team doesn’t just handle paperwork. We dig into the details, work with trusted experts, and build cases that demand attention. We’ve stood up to large corporations, insurance companies, and property owners who tried to avoid responsibility, and we’ve helped our clients secure the compensation they needed to move forward.
We also know that after a serious injury, the last thing you need is more financial stress. With us, you don’t pay anything upfront, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Your recovery is our priority. We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
If you or someone you love has been hurt by electrocution, you don’t have to figure out what to do next on your own. Thompson Law offers a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced electrocution injury lawyer who can review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
There’s no obligation and no pressure. Just honest guidance from a team that cares about your outcome.
Contact Thompson Law today to schedule your FREE CASE REVIEW. Let us help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We cover all areas of California, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
