Home » Electrocution Accidents

We Proudly Serve Accident Victims Injured Across The State of Texas

Electrocution Accidents

An electrocution happens when someone comes into touch with an electrical source, sending an electric current through their body. Internal and external injuries are possible in cases of electrocution. Electrocution injuries can range from minor burns and discomfort to serious burns and loss of limb, as well as death in the case of electrical shock accidents.

While some electrocution incidents are caused by the victim’s negligence, electrocution injuries can also be caused by the carelessness of a secondary party. In the event that an electrocution accident is caused by the carelessness of another party, a victim may be eligible to join an electrocution accident lawsuit and seek compensation for medical expenses.

If you believe that you were injured in an electrocution accident without your own fault, you should immediately call Texas Personal Injury Lawyers at (888) 997-2148 for a free case evaluation to see whether you qualify to join a lawsuit.

Can I file A Lawsuit After An electrocution accident?

In the case of an electrocution accident, a personal injury lawsuit for compensation may be possible. The individual or organization who caused the accident may be held liable to the victim for losses.

The injured person will seek compensation for their losses and injuries in an electrocution liability claim. Damages following an electrocution accident might include:

  • Medical bills,
  • Lost wages from missed work,
  • Future loss of earnings,
  • Pain and suffering, and
  • Any other related losses and expenses.

If a family member is killed by an electrocution accident, surviving relatives might be able to bring a wrongful death action. A wrongful death lawsuit allows the family to be compensated for their loss while also holding the individual responsible for his or her actions accountable.

Construction workers killed by electrocution are not uncommon. Construction accident lawsuits may include worker’s compensation benefits and the recovery of damages against the employer, contractors, and those who created hazardous conditions on the job site in these circumstances.

What Damages Are Available?


The monetary compensation available in a case involving an electrocution accident is determined by the seriousness of the injuries and whether they were fatal.

When someone is harmed in an electrocution incident, compensatory compensation is meant to put the victim in the same position they would have been in had the accident not occurred. Economic and non-economic compensatory damages, such as those listed above, are examples of compensatory damages in a personal injury claim.

  • Medical bills,
  • Emergency medical treatment,
  • Physical therapy,
  • Prescription medications,
  • Medical supplies,
  • Lost earnings,
  • Lost earning capacity,
  • Loss of consortium,
  • Compensation for scars or loss of a limb,
  • Emotional pain,
  • Court costs, and
  • Pain and suffering.

In some circumstances, exemplary damages (also known as punitive damages) may also be available. Punitive damages, or exemplary damages, are available when the defendant engaged in particularly egregious misconduct. This includes injuries caused by the defendant’s malice, oppression, extreme carelessness, or fraud. When determining how much to award in punitive damages, the jury considers:

  1. How reprehensible the defendant’s conduct was;
  2. The relationship between the plaintiff’s harm and the amount of punitive damages; and
  3. What amount will punish the defendant and discourage future wrongful conduct by the defendant.

Can I File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit If A Family Member Was Electrocuted?

Electrocution causes death by electric shock. The deceased victim of an electrical accident is unable to file a personal injury claim because he or she is unable to do so. A wrongful death lawsuit, on the other hand, enables surviving family members to obtain compensation. When a loved one dies as a result of someone else’s mistakes, family members can sue for compensation.

The damages available under a wrongful death lawsuit include:

  • Funeral costs;
  • Burial expenses;
  • Financial support the deceased would have earned during his or her lifetime;
  • The reasonable value of household services the deceased would have provided;
  • Loss of gifts or benefits expected; and
  • Compensation for the loss of companionship, protection, affection, and support.

The individuals who can file a wrongful death claim in each state are determined by its law. The family members who may bring a lawsuit for damages in Texas are as follows:

  • Surviving spouse;
  • Domestic partner;
  • Children;
  • Grandchildren (if the deceased person’s children are deceased); or
  • Anyone else who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by California intestate succession laws.

A “survival” cause of action may be filed in addition to a wrongful death lawsuit. This sort of claim is brought on behalf of the victim’s estate to reimburse for expenses incurred as a result of the illegal act.

What Should I do After An Electrocution Accident?


An electrocution accident can result in a minor jolt or a potentially deadly surge of electricity. If the injured person has any of the following symptoms after being subjected to an electrical shock, he or she should seek medical attention:

  • Serious burns
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Heart problems

If a person has been struck by an electric current, he or she should not be handled until he or she is free of the source of electricity. If possible, turn off the electricity supply. You should call 9-1-1 if there is an active hazardous electrical source and the electric shock victim has been hurt or injured.

An electrocution accident victim should also consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who specializes in these types of claims. A lawyer can assist the personal injury claimant through the claim process, negotiate with the insurance company, and fight for total compensation for the victim and their family.

Who Is To Blame For An Electrocution Accident?

Liabilities in an electrocution accident are determined by a number of criteria, including the location of the incident, who was involved, and how the shock was delivered.

  • Negligence

In most situations, electrocution accident claims are filed due to negligence. The negligent party is liable for any damages caused by their poor behavior.

To be able to receive compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness, the plaintiff must show that he or she was hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence. The following factors must be proved in order for a plaintiff to recover damages after an accident:

  1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care;
  2. The defendant breached that duty of care through negligence; and
  3. The defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing harm or death.

  • Employee Negligence

When an employee is deemed to be careless in causing an accident, the employer might be held responsible for their actions. An employer may be held vicariously liable under “Respondent Superior” laws for the negligence of its employees.

  • Premises Liability

When electrocution occurs on someone else’s premises, the property owner may be held responsible for any hazardous conditions that existed there. Under “premises liability” legislation, owners and occupants of property are obligated to keep their properties in a safe condition and notify others about any hazardous circumstances.

The plaintiff in a premises liability personal injury claim must establish the following elements:

  1. The defendant owned, occupied, or controlled the property;
  2. The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property;
  3. The plaintiff was harmed;
  4. The defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s harm.

Is It Possible For Me To be Compensated If I Was Responsible In Any way For The Electrocution Accident?


Even if the electrocution accident victim was partly to blame, he or she may still be able to receive compensation. The plaintiff can still seek damages under comparative fault legislation in a state that follows such a rule.

If a property owner is 80% at fault for failing to warn visitors about exposed wires and the plaintiff is 20% at fault for touching the wires, the plaintiff may be able to collect 80% of compensation from the defendant.

Workplace Electrocution Accidents


The workplace is one of the most popular locations for electric shock and electrocution incidents. In 1999, 278 workers died as a result of electrocution at work, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Electrocutions accounted for nearly 5% of all on-the-job fatalities.

In 2016, there were 1,640 nonfatal electrical injuries requiring days off from work. On average, these nonfatal accidents necessitated 5 days of absence from employment to recover from the electricity-related accident.

The following are the top workplaces with the most electrocution accidents and fatalities in the United States:

  • Mining industry
  • Construction workers
  • Firefighters
  • Electricians
  • Utility workers
  • Medical workers
  • Roofers
  • Maintenance workers

Many electrical accidents are caused by one of the following: Unsafe equipment or installation, Unsafe working conditions, or Inadequate supervision.

Workers’ compensation is a system that covers medical expenses and income replacement for employees who suffer workplace injuries. Employees who are hurt at work are usually covered by workers’ compensation, which provides medical care and money payments. Workers’ comp generally does not require injured workers to demonstrate that the employer was negligent in order to obtain it.

After an electrocution accident, workers’ comp usually covers medical expenses and lost income. Other non-economic damages that may not be covered in a workers’ comp claim include pain and suffering.

Common Causes Of Electrocution Accidents


Aside from workplace electrical mishaps, the following are some of the most frequent causes of electrocution injuries:

  • Children inserting objects in electrical outlets;
  • Downed power lines after a storm;13
  • Fallen power lines in water;
  • Old wiring;
  • Electric appliances coming into contact with water;
  • Loose connectors;
  • Wiring not according to code;
  • Cutting through walls into electrical wires;
  • Bypassing electrical safety features; and
  • Improper grounding.

Electrocution might cause damage to the skin and internal organs. The following injuries can be caused by electricity when it comes into contact with the body:

  • Cardiac arrest;
  • Muscle and tissue damage;
  • Nerve damage;
  • Thermal burns;
  • Injuries from falling after an electric shock;
  • Brain damage;
  • Seizures;
  • Loss of consciousness; or
  • Death.

Filing An Electrocution Lawsuit


An Electrocution accident claim is handled similarly to a civil lawsuit, so study up on the procedures before you act. However, you shouldn’t wait too long to act. Your state’s statute of limitations restricts the amount of time you have to bring a claim, so if you wait too long after the incident, you might not be able to join a lawsuit due to the statute of limitations.

If you hire an electrocution accident lawyer after being injured by an electric shock, there are a few things you should do. Begin collecting evidence of your harm as soon as possible. Keep all photographs, videos, medical records, or other documents concerning your incident call Texas Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation.

Call us at (888) 997-2148 right away, there is no charge for your first case evaluation.

We take cases on a contingency fee basis and there are no costs unless we win, and the consultation is completely FREE. Contact us to learn what Texas Personal Injury Lawyers can accomplish for you.