Injured By Electric Shock At Work

An electric shock occurs when a person comes in contact with a source of electrical current and the electrical energy travels through the person’s body. There may be no injury sustained, or there may be a serious injury and even death.

About 1,000 people die each year in the United States from electric shock, many of which occur in the workplace. If a loved one has died due to an electronic shock sustained at work contact a workers comp lawyer to recover your losses.

Causes of Electric Shock
Electric shock can occur in any setting where an electrical current is present, including the home and work environments. Some of the most common sources for electric shock are listed below:

• contact with a downed power line
• on-the-job electrical shock via user error or unsafe work environment
• lightening
• household appliances, via faulty manufacture or consumer misuse
• frayed electrical wires
• overloaded extension cords
• wall outlets
• secondary electric shock from attempting to assist a person experiencing electric shock

Symptoms of Electric Shock

The severity of the effects of an electric shock depend on the strength and duration of the current traveling through the victim’s body, and the age and health of the victim. Typical symptoms of electric shock are listed below:

• burns
• internal injuries
• head or spinal injury

When to Seek Medical Intervention
Low-voltage electric shock might not constitute a medical emergency, but some symptoms call for medical attention. Contact a medical professional in the case of:

• burns that won’t heal
• redness, soreness or drainage at the burn site
• five or more years have passed since your last tetanus shot

In cases of high-voltage electric shock, emergency medical attention and hospitalization is far more likely. Contact emergency medical services if:

• the victim of the electric shock is pregnant;
• there is a loss of consciousness;
• any tingling, numbness or paralysis is experienced;
• the victim experiences changes in vision, speech or hearing; or
• there are severe burns

Common sense, education and attention to safety protocol in the workplace can help prevent a vast majority of the cases of electric shock.

If you were shocked at work and need help with a workers compensation claim let whocanisue.com find an employment lawyer in your area.