While Canadian statistics show a decrease in electrical fatalities across the provinces, there has been an increase in non-fatal electric shock and electric burn related injuries both in and out of the workplace. Those who suffer most from electrical shock are construction workers and those who work as building handyman’s and superintendents. Electrical shock injuries and electrical burn injuries are quickly sustained and can result in the need for long term leave from work. Symptoms can be very difficult to deal with, and recover lengthy. When negligence is a possible reason of injury, it is very important to understand your legal rights and speak with a disability attorney as soon as possible.
## Electrical Shock Symptoms
When someone is a victim of electric shock, they often see burns at the points of contact with the electrical source . Most common points of contact are the hands, bottom of the feet/heels and the head. Besides burns, it is also possible that someone is thrown by the electrical source as a result of an extreme muscle response and construction to the electricity that has entered their body. This throw alone can come with its own slew of injuries, such as head trauma, broken bones, impalement and spinal cord injury. Internal injuries have also been reported, often being accompanied by chest and/or abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
Most often short term disability leave, or long-term disability leave is required to properly heal from extreme electrical shock. Those who has sustained long-lasting injuries or suffer from permanent symptoms may have to change careers or seek a lifestyle change and shift while under long-term disability leave.
## When To Seek Medical Attention
Those who experience high-voltage electrical shocks must seek medical attention immediately and be seen at the closest trauma centre. If the voltage is 500 volts or more, call 911 services as soon as possible. If this shock was incurred while working, it is your employer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for transportation if EMS is not called; that being said, if someone is unconscious, has received major injuries and are in severe discomfort, it is important to call 911 as soon as possible and to not move those who are injured. If your employer refuses to call EMS or if they have moved you or disregarded your injuries in any way, speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
If injuries sustained, such as burns, are not healing in a timely manner or appear to have become infected, seek medical attention. Signs of infection include redness, increased soreness, or drainage of pus or other fluids. If you are pregnant or have not had a tetanus booster shot in more than 5 years, go to your closest emergency room for evaluation in avoidance of further or unnoticeable complications.
For the sake of insurance claims and where negligence may be reason for injury, we highly suggest going to an emergency room if you suffer from any of the follow, after a low-voltage shock:
* Difficult breathing
* Confusion
* Noticeable burns / cuts / bruises etc.
* Unconsciousness
* Tingling, numbness, or paralysis anywhere on your body
* Sudden changes or difficulty with hearing, vision or speech
* Muscle spasms
* Seizures
* If you are more than 20 weeks’ pregnant
Electricity pulsing through your body at a dangerous rate can effect your heart, brain and nervous system. If you begin suffering symptoms within a 72 hr time frame after a low-voltage shock and have yet to seek medical attention, go to the closest emergency room as soon as possible.
## Shock Injury: Result of Negligence
If you believe that your electric shock injury was sustained as a result of another party’s negligence, they may be liable for damages. Signs of negligence include:
* Unsafe or tampered with electrical equipment and/or wiring
* Malfunctioning safeguards
* Lack of warning / failure to provide warning of high voltage or unsafe electrical equipment and wiring
* Failure to act responsibly with electrical equipment or wiring
* Failure to provide safe alternatives when electrical exposure is known
* Directing irresponsibility someone to handle unsafe electrical equipment or wiring
Whether the party, such as a property owner knew, or should of known about the dangerous conditions that caused your injury, they are still held responsible for premise liability. If your injury was the result of improper training or supervisions by others (such as superiors or staff on a work site or in a store for example), negligence has taken place. If you sustained a shock injury under the direction of someone else, the person who directed you is held liable. It is important to know you rights and understand that if there is evidence of the following, then there is causation to your negligence claim and you are entitled to seek damages for your injuries.
## Work Related Injury
If you have sustained an electrical shock while working off-site, and a third party is responsible or had any part in causing your injury, a filing of two claims can take place.
### Example Scenario
If you are working as an electrician in Ontario and sustain an electric shock while working on the roof of an office building, it is possible to file two claims after sustaining your injury. Lets say the building has not properly warned or provided high voltage signage and you receive an electrical shock or burn; a WSIB claim should be filed immediately, and a disability insurance lawyer contacted as soon as possible after the injury is sustained. The lack of signage for high voltage is a form of negligence and can be pursued in a separate legal claim from your WSIB insurance claim.
With consideration of the example above, when someone suffers from an electrical shock / electrocution while working, it is absolutely pivotal to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Having full insight into your legal rights and receiving proper compensation can help make the world of a difference and cover costs for any damages or losses you may have induced as a result of your injury. Holding the right person accountable for your injuries is important to you and many others who are to this potential risk.
## Disability Claims Lawyer: How We Can Help
TSF Law offers free consultations and understands thoroughly the laws surrounding electrical shock and electrocution. If you have:
– Suffered from an electric shock/burn and are facing a denied insurance claims
– Are a victim of electrical shock/burn sustained on the job
– Believe negligence is responsible for your electrical shock/burn injury
– Seek long term disability as a result of an electrical shock/burn
We highly suggest you speak with someone on our legal team. It is important that you avoid all stress that can accommodate navigating the insurance process or legal dispute during a time of healing. TSF Law understands the implications of electric shock/burn injuries and how this can effect one’s life; we promise to provide full support during a time of healing and fight for your rights.
