The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has reported that as many as 350 workers die each year as a result of electrical accidents. Many more are severely injured. Victims of electrical accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries such as fatal electrocution, severe burns, amputations resulting from burns and falls from elevations. Those at risk include construction personnel, electricians, engineers, utility employees and even office workers.

OSHA has identified contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, missing or discontinuous paths to a ground, improper equipment use and improper use of extension or other flexible cords as the most frequent causes of electrocution. Overhead and underground power lines are particularly dangers because they carry extremely high voltage. Workers may come into contact with these power lines while using cranes, backhoes, scaffolding, metal building materials or other equipment. Workers who use cranes and similar lift devices should know that the majority of the 80-plus fatal crane accidents that occur each year result from contact with power lines (for more information, click here). Workers may also be injured when unintended electrical contact causes a fire or explosion, or when normal wear and tear on equipment leads to insulation breaks, short-circuits or exposed wires.

Electrical accidents can raise a host of complicated legal issues. Only an experienced workplace accident lawyer can evaluate the factors that may affect an injured worker’s ability to recover damages. Some of these factors include workers’ compensation law; insurance coverage; the parties responsible for the worker’s injuries, such as landowners, contractors, sub-contractors, equipment suppliers, design professionals or manufacturers; and compliance or non-compliance with occupational and worksite safety regulations.

The dedicated trial lawyers of Feldman Shepherd understand that electrocution can result in severe and prolonged injury. In many cases, catastrophic accidents result in permanent disability or death. We are committed to helping injured workers and their loved ones throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey secure all of the compensation to which they may be entitled. This may include damages for pain and suffering, financial losses, emotional distress, medical expenses and in some cases, punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing.

At Feldman Shepherd, we strive to obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.