Filing A Claim for Electric Shock Injuries At Work
March 4, 2021
Electrocution can result in serious or permanently debilitating injuries. Many workers across Pennsylvania face the risk of an electrocution in their job, including construction workers, utility workers, and factory workers. If you’ve been electrocuted at work, you may wonder what your rights are for pursuing financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Continue reading to learn more about filing a claim for electric shock injuries at work.
Why Do Work Electrocution Accidents Happen?
Electrocutions can happen in the workplace for any number of reason, including because of:
- Worker negligence or recklessness
- Defectively designed or manufactured materials or equipment
- Negligent or improper maintenance
- Improper installation of electrical wires or power lines
Can You Pursue a Legal Claim When You’ve Been Electrocuted at Work?
If you’ve suffered electrocution injuries due to an accident at work, your primary option for seeking financial recovery for your injuries is filing a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. Under Pennsylvania law, an employee who is injured on the job is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for any injury that occurs at work or in the course and scope of employment. Workers’ compensation is considered a form of “no-fault” compensation, since a worker is entitled to benefits without the need to show that their employer bears legal fault for the worker’s injury. However, under workers’ compensation law, these benefits are typically a worker’s exclusive remedy against their employer for a work injury.
A worker may also be entitled to pursue a civil claim for an electrocution injury at work when the injury was caused by a third party’s actions or negligence. Examples of third-party liability for an electrocution at work may include:
- Filing a negligence claim against a contractor or subcontractor that performed substandard electrical work on a construction site
- Filing a claim against electrical power suppliers
- Filing a premises liability claim against a property or business owner when an electrocution results from negligent maintenance of the owner’s premises
- Filing a product liability claim against a manufacturer of a product that causes an electrocution due to a design or manufacturing defect
What Compensation Can You Receive for Injuries Caused by an Electrocution at Work?
If you suffer injuries due to an electrocution at work, you may be entitled to receive certain workers’ compensation benefits from your employer, including:
- Reasonable and necessary medical treatment
- Temporary disability benefits, which provides partial replacement of lost wages due to missed time from work or due to being on part-time or light-duty
- Permanent partial disability benefits, which provides financial compensation if you suffer permanent impairment to a body part or bodily function but are still capable of working in some form of employment
- Permanent total disability benefits, which continues payment of partial wage replacement for as long as you remain totally disabled from being able to work
If you have a viable third-party personal injury claim due to your electrocution accident, you may also be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Personal care expenses
- Lost wages or income
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life
An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options and what compensation you may be entitled to after being injured by an electrocution at work.
Contact a Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your Pennsylvania Workplace Injury Case
A workplace injury can be devastating, particularly if it prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time. Although Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation laws are supposed to provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses and replacement pay for missed time at work, it is not always easy to get the Workers’ Comp benefits you deserve. That is why you should speak with a knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation lawyer about your situation and get guidance throughout the claims process. The experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 766-1455 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a consultation about your work injury case. Our main office is located at 3634 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
