Depending on your line of work, many different types of accidents can happen when you are on the job. Electrocution accidents are one of the “Fatal Four” accidents related to deadly job-related accidents. Electricity is hazardous to work with, and you need legal representation if you’ve suffered from an accident.
It’s common to have accidents in the workplace, and the injuries you sustain can vary in severity. Seth Bader is a workers compensation lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. He has successfully handled numerous electrocution accidents and wants to help you with yours. If you or someone you know is a victim of an electrocution accident at work, contact us today. We offer free consultations so that you can take the next steps in your case.
What do I do after an electrocution accident occurs?
If you or a loved one has been injured by electrocution, you must first contact the job-site supervisor. You can even tell a coworker, but we recommend telling someone that will document the incident.
Next, you should gather testimony from witnesses of the incident. You should write down as much information as you can while you’re at the scene of the accident. Some of this information can include names, numbers, and addresses. Finally, you should seek medical attention. We find that most electrocution accidents result in severe injuries and sometimes death. These accidents can be very traumatic and can affect the rest of your life. Do not talk to anyone without the presence or advice of your Atlanta personal injury attorney.
For a free legal consultation with a electrocution accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call (404) 888-8888
What is the time limit for filing an electrocution accident claim?
In most states, there is a statute of limitations for filing any workers compensation claim. Typically, you have two years from the date of an incident to file your electrocution accident claim. However, there are some cases where the timeline is even shorter. Personal injury cases can be very complex, which is why we recommend that you seek legal representation immediately.
You need to make sure that you file your claim before the deadline because you have injuries and other damages that need compensation. Also, the longer you wait to file, the more unreliable witness testimony becomes. People can forget exactly what happened in an accident that occurred several years ago.
Once the electrocution accident happens at work, your company will start moving quickly. They will want a statement from you, and they’ll contact their insurance company and attorney. You can’t afford to go without representation into any of these meetings. The insurance company and attorney represent the company, and they don’t care about your needs.
They want to settle this case for as little as possible. Many longtime employees think that their company values their loyalty, but they couldn’t be more wrong. The company only cares about their bottom line.
Atlanta Electrocution Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
How long do I have to report a worker’s compensation claim to my manager?
With any workplace injury, you must speak to someone about it within 30 days. So, this can be a casual conversation with your coworker or supervisor. It is then their responsibility to report it to someone higher in charge. This does not have to be a written statement, but a report will need to be filed by your manager.
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What kind of injuries occur with an electrocution accident?
With electricity, a human body is a perfect conductor. So, electricity can easily pass through your body. Some of the primary injuries associated with electrocution are:
- Heart Attacks
- Muscle, Tissue, and Nerve Damage
- Thermal Burns
- Death
As you can see, this list of injuries is pretty severe. It could take you years to recover, or you might not live a normal ever again.
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What are some of the types of electrocution accidents?
Most of the common causes of electrocution, according to OSHA, are:
- Contact with a buried or overhead power line.
- Improper use of flexible or extension cords.
- Contact with faulty tools, defective equipment, or bare wires.
How common are electrocution accidents in the workplace?
Electrical accidents are somewhat common and almost 150 construction workers die annually from injuries from electrocution. There are also thousands of other accidents that occur every year that aren’t fatal. Most of the workers affected by these accidents are roofers, carpenters, laborers, and electricians.
I know someone that suffered from an electrocution accident, now what?
The first thing that you should do is contact an experienced electrocution accident attorney. There are many personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, but not all of them are equal. We recommend that you interview several personal injury lawyers before you decide on your representation. Most attorneys will provide a free consultation, but you should always ask before setting up appointments. Taking notes will help you keep all of your meetings separate so that you can make the best decision for your case. You need to find an attorney before you talk to any insurance representatives or other attorneys. Anything you say in a recorded call can be used against you in your case.
Personal injury claims are very complicated, so you need an attorney to guide you through the process. If your electrocution is because of faulty equipment, we can go after the third party that is responsible. So, there can be several parties involved with your electrocution personal injury claims.
I suffered an injury from an electrocution incident while I was working, do I have a case?
Absolutely. At the very least, you can file for workers’ compensation because you were injured at work. In the state of Georgia, you are protected from the first day that you step foot on your job. You could also file a personal injury claim if there is another party involved. Like we mentioned before, faulty equipment could involve a third party.
My manager is being very helpful, do I really need to hire an attorney?
Yes. If your manager helps you out, they are still representing the company. Workers’ compensation is set up to protect you, but you aren’t familiar with the process. Your manager, company, attorneys, and insurance agents understand the gray areas.
You don’t have to hire an attorney to get your workers’ compensation, but you’re risking the amount of compensation you could receive. You need to ensure that you have enough money to pay your bills and cover your injuries while you are out of work.
I don’t have the money for an attorney, and I don’t know what to do
Many victims of accidents do not have the money for an attorney, which is why most personal injury lawyers do not take an upfront fee. If you don’t receive a settlement they don’t get paid. However, they will take their fee out of your settlement. Be sure to ask your worker’s compensation attorney how they operate.
My loved one died because of an electrocution accident, do you handle these cases?
Yes. Whether you have suffered from serious injuries or your loved one has died, we can assist you in your claim. Every case is different, so we will need to speak with you about your electrocution accident in our office.
What Can Employers Do To Prevent Electrical Injuries?
There are many steps that Atlanta, Georgia employers in any industry can take to prevent workplace injuries and deaths related to electrocution. For example, they can inspect the premises regularly, be sure to remove damaged wiring, replace old wiring, and work with skilled electricians for the work, rather than allowing or requesting that employees who are not trained electricians to take care of this. They can also work to avoid overloading outlets, use the appropriate bulbs for light fixtures, and conduct testing on all electrical equipment before use.
Beyond this, employers can discuss electrical safety with employees who are at risk of electrocution from the tools that they use, seek out and identify any electrical hazards, and ensure that proper safety equipment is used at all times.
How Can Employees Respond to an Electrical Accident or Injury?
Because electrical accidents and injuries can cause severe and immediate damage, it is important for employees who work with electrical tools and components to know what to do when such an incident occurs, not just for themselves, but for their co-workers, who may be unable to do anything to help themselves once such an incident occurs.
For starters, let’s look at what happens when someone is injured through an electrical accident at work. The person may have serious burn injuries, a heart attack, or damaged internal organs, muscles, nerves, and tissues, when they have a direct encounter with an electrical current. Thus, the employee who is injured is likely to be in no condition to do anything in response to the injury. If you are the injured employee, and you are not incapacitated, such as in cases of external burns or a shock that incapacitates you only briefly, you need to seek immediate medical treatment. Further, you should be attuned to your body and any indications of internal damage that might require emergency treatment. Never walk away from an electrical injury without reporting it and alerting others to what has happened. You could end up suffering from a severe medical condition, and you need others to be aware of what has happened.
If you are an employee who witnesses someone who is injured by an electrical hazard, or if you come upon someone who is unconscious, potentially due to an electrical injury, you need to call 911. It is important to avoid touching the person until the electrical current is broken. You may be tempted to reach out for them, to help them, but doing so could cause injury to yourself, as well, making both of you incapable of seeking help. Before touching or attempting to provide first aid to the person, you need to cut off the electrical current. This does not mean that you should just turn off the given machine or the lights, or whatever it is that is causing the issue. Rather, you need to unplug the machine or remove a fuse, as the case may be.
If this is not an option, you can attempt to push the person away from the current with an object that will not conduct electricity to your body. Again, do not touch the person with any part of your own body, and do not use an object that will conduct electricity. Some examples of objects that you could use to push the person away from the electrical current include objects that are made of rubber or wood, though it is important that the objects not be wet, because water does conduct electricity. You may have a dry wooden broom or chair that you could use, though anything with metal should not be used. Many chairs, brooms, etc. may have metal parts, so be aware of this before attempting to help with an unsafe object.
Once the electrical current is broken, the person may fall. Do not move them unless they are still at risk of further injury, such as a potential fire, explosion, or nearby live wires. You don’t want to put ice, ointments, or any kind of bandaging on the burns until the emergency medical responders arrive. However, if the person has only minor burns, running them under cool water can help, and any jewelry should be removed immediately.
Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers Today
We want to represent you in your electrocution work accident case. We know how to handle insurance companies and get you the compensation that you deserve. It would be best if you focused on getting better, instead of worrying about your settlement. Contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form