Electric shocks are known to cause serious injuries. Low-voltage appliances can give electric shocks that cause muscle spasms, burns, and often leave scars. However, in the most severe cases, electric shocks can be fatal.
This type of accident can happen in a host of places, be it in the workplace (especially in an industrial setting), at home, in a public place like a shop or hotel, or as a result of using a faulty product.
Regardless of where the accident occurred, if you’ve suffered an injury from an electric shock caused either by a faulty product or another party’s negligence, you may be eligible to make an electric shock personal injury claim.
At InjuryLawyers4U, our expert solicitors are experienced in dealing with all kinds of personal injury claim and handle many thousands of cases each year. Get in touch today for free, no-obligation advice on the strength of your potential claim and whether to proceed. Our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis, which means you won’t pay a penny in legal fees until your claim is successful.
Electric shock injuries explained
Electric shocks happen when electricity passes through the body. In some cases, this causes no injury at all. However, in others it can cause severe injuries and even death, depending on the type of current, the level of voltage and current, the length of time the injured person is exposed to the electrical charge and the path it takes through the body.
Exposure to electricity can cause a variety of symptoms and injuries, but the most common are:
- External burns where the skin comes into contact with the electrical charge
- Internal burns
- Muscle spasms
- Fractured or broken bones, where the electric shock causes the victim to fall
Accidents causing an electric shock can occur in many places, and you may be able to claim compensation if you can prove that your injury was caused by a person or organisation’s negligence. Here are the most common settings in which this type of accident can occur and in which you could be eligible to claim.
Electric shock in the workplace
You could be entitled to compensation if you’ve suffered an electric shock accident at work as a result of your employer’s lack of care or negligence. This could be due to faulty machinery, lack of adequate safety training and precautions, leaking pipes dripping onto electricals, or exposed wires. It is your employer’s duty to prevent these situations from occurring by taking precautions to keep you safe. If they don’t, and you incur an injury as a result, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
Electric shock in a public place
Whether you’re in a shop, staying at a hotel, going to the gym or any other publicly accessible place, it’s the responsibility of the owners and operators to keep everyone that visits safe. Exposed wiring and faulty electrics are often to blame for electric shock injuries that occur in these settings, and if you can show that your injuries have been caused by the operator’s negligence, it’s worth initiating a personal injury claim.
Electric shock at home
If your home is rented, whether directly from a landlord, housing association or council/local authority, it’s their duty to maintain your property and make it a safe place to live. Should they neglect or fail in their duties, and you suffer an electric shock injury, you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim.
Electric shock from a faulty product
These situations should be rare, since manufacturers and product retailers are legally required to test their products and ensure no harm to the user under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. That means if you suffer an electric shock injury because of a faulty or defective product, we may be able to help you claim compensation for your injury.
Are electric shock injuries eligible for No Win No Fee?
Yes. No Win No Fee is a form of agreement used by personal injury law firms and organisations including InjuryLawyers4U. It guarantees that if the lawyer proceeds with your claim and it is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay any legal fees. Like any other form of injury, if your electric shock injury was directly caused by the negligence of lack of proper care by a third party, you may be eligible to initiate a personal injury claim.
Is an electric shock an injury?
An electric shock in itself is not an injury as such, but the effect of electricity passing through the body can directly cause many different kinds of injuries and health issues. This includes severe burns, breathing difficulties, muscular pain or spasms, and at its most severe can lead to loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest. Should the injured party lose consciousness and fall as a result of the electrical current, this can also cause fractured and broken bones.
The scale of damage from an electric shock greatly depends on the level of voltage, the source (be it exposed wiring or a faulty appliance), the path the current takes through the body, and the injured party’s age and general health.
How are electric shock injuries treated?
The treatment required for electric shock injuries varies greatly depending on the scale of the injury. For less severe electric shock injuries, treatment may consist of prescribed pain medication, antibiotic ointment, and dressings to treat any minor burns to the skin. If the electric shock is severe and the injuries are more serious as a result, treatment may include admission to intensive care, surgery, nutritional support, IV fluids, and in worst cases, resuscitation.
Take the first step towards claiming compensation with us
However severe your electric shock injury, as soon as you contact us to explain your injury and inquire about our services, our expert solicitors can give you professional advice specific to your situation and help secure the compensation you deserve. At InjuryLawyers4U, we’re on your side and ready to assist with your claim. Get in touch with us by calling 0800 221 8888 or filling in an Enquiry Form online and you’ll receive expert advice from one of our specialist lawyers on a no win no fee basis.
