Electrocution accidents at work can have life-changing or even fatal consequences. If you suffered an electrical injury while working, you may be entitled to benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.

Our construction accident attorneys understand what an electrocution injury can mean for you and your family. We know how the system works and are ready to put our experience to work for you. You can reach out to a Springfield electrocution injury lawyer on our team to get started.

How Workplace Electrocution Happens

Electrocution accidents can occur for various reasons. Our Springfield attorneys could help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim for an electrical injury arising from any of the following situations.

Contact With Live Wires

Direct contact with exposed wiring is one of the most common causes of electrocution in the workplace. While these injuries can happen anywhere, they are especially common on construction sites and during building maintenance.

Faulty Equipment

Faulty equipment, such as damaged tools or frayed cords, can expose workers to dangerous electrical currents. An electrocution injury might occur due to inherent defects in the equipment, or it could result from a failure to properly care for the items.

Lack of Proper Training

Workers who are not trained to recognize electrical hazards may unknowingly place themselves in danger. This includes failing to shut off power sources, not using proper protective gear, or misjudging the risk of certain tasks.

Wet Conditions

Electricity travels more easily through water. When a workplace has wet floors or other exposure to liquid, the risk of electrocution rises significantly. This is especially dangerous in construction and utility work.

Unsafe Work Practices

People can get hurt when employers prioritize profits over safety, especially when electricity is involved. When companies fail to protect their workers by failing to use proper safety procedures, any injuries could lead to a viable workers’ compensation claim.

The Risk of Electrocution

Electrocution injuries are often severe because electricity affects the body from the inside out. This means the damage to your body could be far worse than it initially appears, potentially impacting the care you receive.

In some cases, the current can stop the heart or cause irregular rhythms that require immediate medical care. Even when these injuries are not fatal, the resulting damage to the body can have permanent consequences.

Electrocution can also cause muscle contractions that throw a worker from a height or into nearby objects. This can lead to secondary injuries such as broken bones or head trauma. Even when a worker survives the initial shock, the long-term effects can impact the ability to work and carry out daily activities. A Springfield attorney could help assess the full extent of the electrocution injury’s effects on your life.

Can You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Electrocution?

If you were electrocuted at work, you probably have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. You do not need to prove that your employer did anything wrong, since these claims are part of a no-fault system. The system is designed to provide benefits for work-related injuries quickly without the need for a long legal fight over who is to blame.

Workers’ compensation typically covers medical expenses related to the injury. This includes:

  • Emergency care
  • Hospital stays
  • Follow-up treatment
  • Rehabilitation

Instead of you having to pay for medical care out of your own pocket, workers’ compensation benefits will cover these costs directly.

In more serious cases, benefits may extend to long-term or permanent disability. If you cannot return to your previous job, you may qualify for additional compensation based on your reduced earning ability. These benefits serve as a replacement for your wages, and the amount available is based on what you were earning before the injury. An electrocution injury attorney in Springfield could help you manage every step of this process.

Talk to a Springfield Attorney About an Electrocution Injury Case

A Springfield electrocution injury lawyer from our firm could help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim after an electrocution accident. Reach out to us today to receive the kind of guidance you deserve.