Did you suffer electrocution injuries in Houston or Texas? Lawyer Alejandro Padua can help
When one thinks of an accident at work , the images that come to mind are usually a fall of stairs or cuts to the body. But there is also the risk of electrocution and electric shock, which occurs when a part of the body touches any source of electricity and causes current through the muscles. Although the effects of electric shock may be obvious (death or burns), they may also be undetectable by sight, such as damage to nerves or tissues. If you have suffered an injury from contact with a current due to your work, contact the electrocution injury lawyers of Mr. Alejandro Padua’s office to discuss your case and the possibility of compensation.
Labor Standards and other accident locations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has named electrocution as one of the most fatal aspects of construction work. OSHA has also reported that one of the most violated standards by employers is machinery hazard communication. For these reasons, the death and electric injury lawyer works to help recover compensation after an electrical injury.
Although most electrical accidents occur in the work environment, they can also occur in places such as a restaurant, a store, or a hotel. If you have suffered an injury due to an electrical current outside of your work, you may also have a case against the business where it occurred. Contact the Alejandro Padua electrical injury lawyers office to discuss your case confidentially.
How Electrocution Accidents Occur
Several scenarios can lead to an electrocution accident, including:
- Negligence of the electric company
- Negligence of the owner of the property
- Defective products
- Electricians or negligent contractor / without a license
- Faulty circuits and terminals
- Damaged electrical cables
- Inadequate ground contact for electrical equipment
- Flash arcs and explosion
- Explosions of fire
- Fail to follow manufacturer’s guidelines / instructions
- Improper use of extension cords
As you can see, these scenarios commonly occur at work. It is important to work very carefully and always bear in mind the risks of your industry.
Electrical injury statistics
Non-fatal Electrocution Injuries at Work in 2018
- 9,760 workers in the United States were injured due to exposure to electricity during this five-year period.
- By occupation, workers in installation, maintenance and repairs (29%), construction and extraction (25%), and service (19%) represented the greatest number of injuries.
- More than a quarter (28%) of the electrical injuries resulted in 31 or more days not worked.
- Groups by age, workers between 25 and 34 years of age and those from 35 to 44 years accounted for the highest proportion of injuries, each with 26% of the total.
Fatal Electrocution Injuries at Work in 2018
- 739 people died due to exposure to electricity.
- By occupation, workers in construction and extraction (47%), installation, maintenance and repair (22%) accounted for the highest number of deaths.
- 80% of fatal injuries from direct exposure to electricity occurred while workers were involved in construction, repair or cleaning activities.
- Workers who were fatally injured as a result of indirect exposure to electricity were almost always engaged in construction, repair or cleaning activities (37%) or were using tools or operating machinery at the time of injury (32%).
Signs and Symptoms of Electric Shock and Electrocution Injuries
The signs and symptoms of electric shock depend on:
- The type of current
- The voltage level
- As the current moved through the body
- How long the person was in contact with electricity
- The health of the person.
If the electric shock is light, it can cause only pain, a fright and a small burn. But if it is serious, it can cause:
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing or a breathing stop
- An irregular heartbeat or a heart attack
- A weak pulse, erratic or no pulse at all
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Muscle spasms and pain
- Seizures
- Heart attack.
If you have been suffering from any of these symptoms or feel different due to an electric shock, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your accident.
Each electrocution or electric shock wound is different, and requires special treatment, for example:
- Burns: You will need surgery to remove dead tissue or damaged skin to prevent infections that can lead to death.
- Cardiovascular problems: If the damage to your heart is permanent, you will need surgery and medical attention for the rest of your life.
- Neurological problems: The electric shock can cause problems with the nervous system and the brain, which will need medical attention.
- Muscle and bones: If you suffer a broken bone or muscle damage, you will have to receive physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatments.
Or perhaps a loved one has died due to electrocution, and attorney Padua is here to help you recover and maximize the compensation you deserve during a difficult time.
Steps to take after an Electrocution Accident
If you have suffered an electric shock or someone in your family has died due to electrocution, the most important thing is to receive medical attention as soon as possible. Then, call our office at 713-900-6424 to speak with our electrocution injury lawyers . Our law firm understands the seriousness of these types of accidents and works to earn you the compensation you deserve. The information that will help you understand and develop your case includes:
- Medical history
- Written record of the events that led to the electrocution accident
- Photos of the wounds and where the accident happened
- The names of witnesses and contact information
- Any video surveillance footage
- Insurance information
This information is not absolutely necessary for the first consultation, but it is good to have it. Your consultation is free, and you do not pay if we do not win your case.
Things to avoid after an Electrocution Accident
You should not speak with any representative of the insurance company after your accident. The insurance representatives do not take their interests into account and try to diminish the damage they have suffered. Neither should you try to solve your accident only, because there are laws and details that only a lawyer can help you navigate properly. Another important issue is the confidentiality of your case. This confidentiality must be maintained during the development of your case, so we advise you not to put any photo or news on social networks that has to do with your accident.
