An electrical injury occurs when a current passes through the body, burning tissue and interfering with the function of internal organs. Such injuries result from contact with faulty electrical appliances, machinery, inadvertent contact with household wiring or electrical power lines. Nearly 350 construction workers die each year from construction site electrical accidents.
General Contractors and employers rush to point the finger at employees for electrical injuries which is usually not true and not fair. The general contractor and electrical company frequently allows electrical lines to fall or drape too low causing inadvertent contact. A contractor does not lock out tag out an electrical line leaving the next trade to suffer devastating injury. The electrical contractor energizes an object that by all appearances should not be ‘hot’ and an unsuspecting following tradesman suffers electrocution. The general contractor forces the electrical trade to work hot rather than shut down for repairs for production. The following are typical:
- Electrician electrocuted when General Superintendent prohibits lock out tag out because it slowed production of other trades. The deceased was blamed but not at fault.
- 52 year old oil rigger was electrocuted when the oil rig was accidentally energized and he made inadvertent contact not knowing it was energized. The deceased was blamed but not at fault.
- Two field workers were electrocuted when an irrigation pipe they were hauling came into contact with an electrical line that was too low. The deceased were blamed but not at fault.
- Tree trimmer was electrocuted when the operator inadvertently raised him into an electrical line. The deceased was blamed but not at fault.
In each of the cases the shocked/electrocuted victim, worker, or passerby was not at fault.
Rarely is an electrical injury the sole fault of the injured person. Have you or a loved one been involved in an electrical injury in any way? You need an attorney familiar with electrical injuries to provide experts to investigate the injury as soon as possible. Subsequent repairs and changes cover up the trail of the real party at fault. CCAA Attorneys have handled many electrical cases and obtained millions of dollars for victims. Contact us to discuss your situation.