Montgomery Alabama Electrocution Accident Attorney

electrocution injury attorney AlabamaMost people have been zapped by a faulty plug or outlet at some point. The shock is startling and not much more. But if the accident involves high voltage, the effect can be severe injury or even death. Electricity is everywhere, and this type of accident can happen in the home, on the street, in another building or in the workplace.

According to the American Burn Association, more than 400 Americans are killed and more than 4,400 injured this way each year. Consumer products are involved in about 180 of the accidents. The rest are workplace related, accounting for an average of 325 deaths and more than 4,000 injuries.

Electrocution is technically death due to an electrical shock. But the term is typically used for any injury caused by the body coming in contact with electricity.

Danger on the Job

 According to officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, most accidents happen when workers engage with high voltage equipment, around underground or overhead electrical lines, and on construction sites.

Jobs that pose obvious risks include building electricians and power line repairmen. But electrocution can happen to anyone who comes in contact with electrical current, from a crane worker to roadway repairperson.

On-the-job accidents cause bodily injuries, as well as have far-reaching consequences for loved ones and family. Consulting a legal advocate with workplace injury experience quickly can help you receive fair compensation for medical bills, recovery and lost wages.

Preventing Electrical Accidents

According to OSHA, electrical deaths are about 5 percent of the total of all workplace fatalities. The agency has a wide range of safety standards in place to prevent death and accidents, but they are only effective when workers and management implement them.

Regulations cover 5 main areas:

  • Electrical conductors need to be insulated.
  • Electrical equipment needs to be properly guarded so people do not come in contact with it accidentally.
  • Tools and systems must be properly grounded.
  • Circuits must have automatic protection devices.
  • Workers must be trained in safe work practices.

Danger for Consumers

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 50,000 home fires are caused by electrical problems each year. More than 500 people die and over 1,400 are injured.

The most common causes are older electrical systems, defective wiring, unsafe products, overloads, improper use of, and damaged extension cords.

Just like in the workplace, prevention is the best way to handle electrical problems. That means hiring only licensed professional electricians for all types of electrical work around the house. This is one area that is not do-it-yourself.

Damaged cords and outlets should be replaced immediately. Extension cords should be used sparingly. Circuits shouldn’t be overloaded. Adults need to follow sensible safety measures and put protection around outlets and cords to keep curious children safe.

If an electrical injury occurs, it is important to get legal guidance as soon as possible. Whether it is due to a defective product or negligence, the right personal injury attorney can help you get fair compensation.

The Devastating Effects of Electrocution

A person becomes an electrical conduit when a current passes through him. Unfortunately, the human body is an excellent conductor of electricity.

The results can be horrendous. Injuries can include:

  • Severe burns, both inside and outside his body
  • Damage to the spinal cord
  • Damage to muscles
  • Brain damage
  • Mental confusion
  • Amnesia
  • Headaches
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Heart attack
  • Seizures
  • Damage to nerves
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Lack of blood flowing to affected limbs
  • Fractures from falling
  • Deformity where the electrical contact happened
  • Respiratory problems or failure
  • Cataracts and other eye problems
  • Ruptured eardrums
  • Kidney damage, in the long term
  • Paralysis
  • Psychological problems like anxiety, depression, aggression, personality changes and problems with sleep
  • Death

Electrical accidents can harm every system in the body, both immediately and long term. Here is an overview of the effects:

  • Central nervous system: the head and spinal cord are affected, but it isn’t the current that always does the harm. In many cases, a person gets hurled from the point of contact, for example, being thrown from a ladder.
  • Respiratory system: a person’s lungs do not conduct electricity like other parts of the body. However, the electrical current can make the muscles in the chest contract and tighten as it passes through them. This causes difficulty breathing or even complete respiratory arrest. Another cause of respiratory problems is brain damage, which directs a person’s breathing.
  • Cardiovascular system: the electrical current has a major impact on the heart. It can result in fluttering, fibrillation and problems with cardiac rhythm. Unless a victim receives immediate treatment, the result can be fatal.
  • Integumentary system: the skin and soft tissues on the human body suffers greatly during an electrical accident. Burns can happen on the interior, as well as the exterior, of the body.
  • Musculoskeletal system: as the electrical current passes through the body, it causes major trauma to the muscles and other organs. Damage to limbs, joints, kidneys and other internal organs are the result.

Different Levels of Intensity

Electrocution injuries vary in severity and are affected by several factors. If a person comes in contact with an electrical current, it can cause a burn and injury. Death happens when the shock is intense enough to stop a person’s heart from beating. But even smaller shocks can cause an irregular heartbeat, which can have serious health consequences.

Here is a look at the factors that decide how severe the injury is:

  • Amount of the voltage
  • Victim’s health
  • Type of current
  • What path the current takes through the body
  • Type of electrical current
  • Type of circuit
  • How long the current has contact with the body
  • Length of time before help comes

Get Help Today with Your Electrocution Claim

Electrocution and electrical accidents are all too common, in everyday life and on the job. If the worst happens and you or a loved one is injured or dies due to electrocution or an electrical accident, take action to assure you are properly compensated.

You may be able to be compensated by the individual or party responsible. This can be critical for help with medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages. It is extremely important that you contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney that has experience with electrocution injuries.  Contact Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, at 334-279-7770 or online for immediate guidance.

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