How A Lawyer For Electrocution or Shock Injury Can Help You
Electrocution is a death or injury that is caused by an electric shock. Electric shock injuries encompass a wide variety of injuries that occur when someone comes into bodily contact with electricity. Unfortunately, our bodies conduct electricity, thereby making us susceptible to traumatic injuries when we come into contact with electricity, including severe burns and death. Any electric current can cause an injury. Therefore, it is important that electric shock injury victims seek medical attention to determine the severity of the injury and determine whether medical treatment is necessary to prevent further damage or life-threatening conditions.
In some cases, electrocution or electric shock injury is accidental. However, some cases of injury by electric is the result of negligence or carelessness by another person or party. When someone else causes an injury, Michigan’s personal injury laws and wrongful death laws provide a way for victims and their families to receive compensation for damages.
If you or one of your family members has been injured in an accident involving electricity, The Clark Law Office wants to help. Contact our Okemos electrocution lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case. Call 517-347-6900 now to speak with a representative.
How Do Electrocution and Electric Shock Injuries Occur?
Even though work-related accidents are one of the most common causes of electrocutions and electric shock injuries, there are many other situations and incidents that might cause an electric shock injury or electrocution. Some of the common causes of electrical shock injuries include:
Improper use of extension cords, including frayed or damaged cords
Appliances and other electronic equipment that have damaged plugs or electric cords
Improperly grounded wires
Defective or improper wiring
Failure to provide safety training for employees and others
Electrical appliances used around pools, bathtubs, sinks, or other sources of water
Weather conditions
Some electric shocks are minor while other electric shocks cause traumatic and life-threatening injuries. When the injury is caused because of negligence or wrongdoing, the party responsible for causing the dangerous or hazardous condition may be held liable for damages. However, determining the liable party may be difficult. In addition, one or more types of personal injury law may apply given the facts in the case. A Michigan electrocution injury attorney investigates the circumstances leading up to your injury to determine how the electric shock injury occurred. By determining the cause of the injury, an Okemos electric shock injury attorney can identify the responsible party and begin building a case for fault and liability.
Liability for Electric Shock Injuries and Electrocutions
As mentioned above, a thorough investigation is required to determine the cause of the injury so that we can identify the liable party or parties. Because these investigations can be complex, you need a Michigan personal injury law firm with experience investigating and handling cases involving injuries caused by electricity. When proving liability for a wrongful death caused by electrocution or an electric shock injury, we must gather evidence to prove that the negligent party:
Owed you a duty to use reasonable care to take steps to prevent an electric shock injury.
The party responsible for the injury breached the duty of care by failing to act in a manner that is consistent with how a reasonable person would act in a similar situation.
The failure to act reasonably (the breach of duty) caused the injury.
Because of the injury, you suffered damages, such as physical injuries, financial losses, and non-economic damages.
Who is Liable for My Damages for an Electric Shock Injury?
There could be one or more parties liable for the damages in an electric shock injury claim or electrocution claim. The parties responsible depend on how the shock occurred and where the shock occurred. For example, if the shock occurred on another person’s property, you might have a claim against the property owner and other parties under a premises liability claim. However, if the electrocution occurred at work, your family may have a workers’ comp claim or a wrongful death claim, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the injury. However, if a defective product causes the electric shock injury, your claim would probably be filed under product liability laws. The claim may be filed against the inventor, manufacturer, or distributor. In some cases, one or more of these parties may share liability for an injury claim.
A Michigan electrocution injury attorney identifies the party or parties responsible and determines the causes of action that can lead to a monetary award for the injury victim. Regardless of how your electric shock injury occurred, The Clark Law Office will thoroughly investigate the case and aggressively pursue every legal cause of action to maximize your chance of recovering full compensation for all injuries, losses, and damages.
Sensory problems, such as problems swallowing, vision problems, or hearing problems
The Mayo Clinic suggests that you call 911 immediately if lightning or a high-voltage wire causes the electric shock. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you may want to seek immediate medical attention to decrease the chance of life-threatening conditions or permanent impairment. For more about what you should do if you or another person experiences an electric shock, you can refer to the information provided by WebMD.
Factors That Determine the Severity of an Electric Shock Injury
Several factors contribute to the severity of an injury caused by electricity. Some of those factors include:
The level of electrical current;
The length of exposure;
The amount of voltage;
The victim’s health;
The pathway the electric current traveled through the body; and,
How quickly treatment is provided.
Damages Available for an Electrocution or Electric Shock Injury
Financial and non-economic damages may be included in a claim for electrocution or electric shock injuries. The facts and circumstances determine the types of damages and the amount of compensation available. Common damages included in a claim for injuries sustained because of electricity include:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Physical pain and suffering
Future damages, including future loss of income and ongoing medical care
Scarring and disfigurement
Permanent disabilities
Psychological injuries and emotional suffering, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life
Cremation, burial, and funeral expenses
Loss of companionship, love, and support
Contact The Clark Law Office to discuss the value of your injury claim in further detail.
Our Electrocution Attorneys Want to Help You Recover the Compensation You Deserve
Call The Clark Law Office at 517-347-6900 to schedule a free legal consultation with our Michigan electric shock accident attorney. Our entire team of legal professionals is here to provide support, guidance, and advice as you continue to recover from a traumatic event and injury.
