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Workers in Pennsylvania who sustain electric shock injuries are often killed or suffer devastating injuries. This is true, whether it’s a construction worker coming into contact with an overhead wire on a job site or a factory worker who is electrocuted while working on a piece of machinery.
Despite the fact that electric shock accidents in the workplace result in very serious injuries, many workers are left putting the pieces together and often suffer serious financial strain. In 2015, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration released a report indicating that workers and their families take the brunt of financial losses caused by work injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to have a work accident electrocution case evaluated to determine whether the injured worker has any legal remedies.
Related case result: $1.5 million – Injuries incurred in a workplace accident on the job where plaintiff sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion
It is important to note that most workers mistakenly believe that their only legal remedy is filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is completely untrue when it comes to third parties (non-employer parties).
Workers who are injured in on the job electrical accidents or arc flashes would be able to make workers’ compensation claims. However, workers’ compensation claims are not the only claims which can be made in such cases. There may be recovery above and beyond workers’ compensation benefits.
While in most cases, an injured worker is barred from suing their employer, they can however, file a civil injury lawsuit against other parties whose negligence contributed to the accident. For instance, a construction worker at a worksite outside of Philadelphia suffers an electric shock injury when a piece of steel he is carrying comes into contact with a live wire. The subcontractor responsible for the work being performed in that area was supposed to de-energize all wires. Because the subcontractor was negligent, the construction worker was electrocuted. Accordingly, while the worker would likely be barred from filing a lawsuit against his employer, he could file a claim against the subcontractor. So long as the evidence of negligence was sufficient, he’d probably win.
Each case is unique and depending on the facts and circumstances, there may be additional claims against other entities such as contractors, subcontractors or product manufacturers and distributors. Such claims would be independent of any workers’ compensation claim and may result in financial recovery for pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, and past and future medical expenses.
It is important to have the case properly investigated as soon as possible by a qualified electrical accident lawyer in Pennsylvania.
For more information, access our free legal article: “Electrical Accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey – Common OSHA Violations Resulting in Injury.”
To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey electrical accident and injury lawyers, call (866) 641-0806. We have offices throughout the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area, including Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Cherry Hill, etc.
Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Last updated: March 16, 2015
