Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
Electricity is a powerful force. In the wrong circumstances, anyone who comes in contact with it can be hurt or even killed. But for workers in certain industries, accidental electrocution is an occupational hazard faced every day.
Around 2,200 electrical injuries annually force U.S. workers to take time off the job. What’s worse, an average of 175 workers die each year from injuries caused by electrocution. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, “contact with/exposure to electric current” is the seventh leading cause of workplace fatalities.
Industries with High Rates of Electrocution Injury
Although electrical accidents can happen anywhere, work injuries caused by electrocution are concentrated in certain occupations. By far, the industries with the highest rate of electrical fatalities are mining and construction.
In total, over three-quarters of fatal workplace electrocution accidents involved only three occupations:
- Construction and extraction (44%)
- Installation, maintenance, and repair (20%)
- Buildings/grounds cleaning and maintenance (13%)
Similarly, nearly three-quarters of nonfatal electrical injuries were clustered in four industries:
- Accommodation and food services (22%)
- Construction (20%)
- Wholesale trade (17%)
- Manufacturing (14%)
Types of Electrocution Injuries
Electricity is a powerful force. In the wrong circumstances, anyone who comes in contact with it can be hurt or even killed. But for workers in certain industries, accidental electrocution is an occupational hazard faced every day.
Around 2,200 electrical injuries annually force U.S. workers to take time off the job. What’s worse, an average of 175 workers die each year from injuries caused by electrocution. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, “contact with/exposure to electric current” is the seventh leading cause of workplace fatalities.
Industries with High Rates of Electrocution Injury
Although electrical accidents can happen anywhere, work injuries caused by electrocution are concentrated in certain occupations. By far, the industries with the highest rate of electrical fatalities are mining and construction.
In total, over three-quarters of fatal workplace electrocution accidents involved only three occupations:
- Construction and extraction (44%)
- Installation, maintenance, and repair (20%)
- Buildings/grounds cleaning and maintenance (13%)
Similarly, nearly three-quarters of nonfatal electrical injuries were clustered in four industries:
- Accommodation and food services (22%)
- Construction (20%)
- Wholesale trade (17%)
- Manufacturing (14%)
Types of Workplace Electrical Injuries
Electrical injuries can range from minor skin burns to major internal damage. And you often can’t distinguish the superficial from the serious just by looking. Electricity causes injury in several ways:
- Electrocution deaths: Organs, nerves, and tissues are permanently damaged by a current passing through the body, resulting in fatal injury.
- Electric shock injuries: Even a relatively low voltage can interrupt the body’s electrical signals, causing muscle spasms, breathing trouble, and irregular heartbeat.
- Burns: Tissue is damaged from contact with the electrical source, from superficial thermal burns to life-altering electrical burns.
- Falls: Even if you’re not seriously hurt by the electricity itself, the shock may cause injuries if you fall, hit your head on equipment, or make contact with another surface.
Electrical accidents can be grave, resulting in heart attacks, third-degree burns, amputations, permanent eye damage, spinal cord injury, and electrocution deaths. Some people report major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after suffering a workplace electrical injury.
Compensation for Workplace Electrocution Accidents
If you experienced a serious electrical work injury in Massachusetts, you could be wondering what to do next. Even if you have workers’ compensation insurance, you may want an expert in workplace electrocution accidents at your side. The attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP can help you navigate the complex world of workers’ comp and personal injury law to make sure you receive fair compensation.
Are you an injured independent contractor not covered by workers’ compensation? Or perhaps you think your electrical accident was caused by your employer’s negligence? Or maybe you lost a loved one due to an electrocution injury? Whatever your case, Altman & Altman LLP has experienced electrical accident lawyers who will discuss your options with you.
In Massachusetts, personal injury lawsuits–including injury caused by electrocution–must be filed within three years. However, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start protecting your rights. Contact Altman & Altman LLP today for a free consultation on your MA electrical accident case!
Electrical injuries can range from minor skin burns to major internal damage. And you often can’t distinguish the superficial from the serious just by looking. Electricity causes injury in several ways:
- Electrocution deaths: Organs, nerves, and tissues are permanently damaged by a current passing through the body, resulting in fatal injury.
- Electric shock injuries: Even a relatively low voltage can interrupt the body’s electrical signals, causing muscle spasms, breathing trouble, and irregular heartbeat.
- Burns: Tissue is damaged from contact with the electrical source, from superficial thermal burns to life-altering electrical burns.
- Falls: Even if you’re not seriously hurt by the electricity itself, the shock may cause injuries if you fall, hit your head on equipment, or make contact with another surface.
Electrical accidents can be grave, resulting in heart attacks, third-degree burns, amputations, permanent eye damage, spinal cord injury, and electrocution deaths. Some people report major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after suffering a workplace electrical injury.
Compensation for Workplace Electrocution Accidents
If you experienced a serious electrical work injury in Massachusetts, you could be wondering what to do next. Even if you have workers’ compensation insurance, you may want an expert in workplace electrocution accidents at your side. The attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP can help you navigate the complex world of workers’ comp and personal injury law to make sure you receive fair compensation.
Are you an injured independent contractor not covered by workers’ compensation? Or perhaps you think your electrical accident was caused by your employer’s negligence? Or maybe you lost a loved one due to an electrocution injury? Whatever your case, Altman & Altman LLP has experienced electrical accident lawyers who will discuss your options with you.
In Massachusetts, personal injury lawsuits–including injury caused by electrocution–must be filed within three years. However, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start protecting your rights. Contact Altman & Altman LLP today for a free consultation on your MA electrical accident case!
