Electrocutions, electric shocks, and electrical burns can be serious and life-threatening. Each year, tens of thousands of individuals are injured or killed due to electrical accidents, and many of these accidents occur in the workplace. There are certain industries where the risk of electrical injuries is higher, particularly those where workers perform frequent installations, maintenance, and repairs. When someone suffers an electrocution injury in the workplace, they deserve to be fully compensated. In most instances, the first recourse for an injured worker is to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, benefits from workers’ comp are limited to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary medical expenses, a percentage of lost wages, and a few other things. In addition, employers and their insurers make it much more difficult than it should be for workers to recover benefits through the program. What few people realize is that workers who sustain electrocution injuries on the job are not necessarily limited to receiving workers’ compensation benefits. It is true that Georgia law generally prohibits an employee from suing an employer for a workplace injury if they have workers’ comp coverage. However, if the injury was caused by a party whom you do not have an employment relationship with, then there is no law that prevents you from suing the responsible party directly. Workplace injury claims against third parties can get very complicated and challenging to pursue. In many of these cases, there are a number of specific factors that may have caused or contributed to an electrocution injury, and an extensive investigation is needed to get to the bottom of what happened and uncover the root cause. If you or someone close to you was injured or killed in an electrical accident on the job, it is very important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to examine your case. At Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C., we have been fighting for the legal rights of injured workers for half a century. Our attorneys are from working-class families, and we fully understand the hazards that workers in many industries encounter on a daily basis. Our firm is focused exclusively on advocating for those who have suffered injuries because of another party’s negligence or recklessness, and we have in-depth knowledge of this area of the law. We work closely with our clients, and we take the time to thoroughly investigate the unique circumstances that caused their injury and explore every potential legal avenue toward recovering maximum compensation. In the case of an electrocution injury at work, for example, we look beyond workers’ compensation to identify any other parties that could have caused the accident. And if it turns out that you have a viable case against a third party, we will not charge you any attorney fees unless we recover damages on your behalf. Common Causes of Electrocution Injuries There are certain occupations in which the risk of electrical injuries is much greater. According to the CDC, the risk of electrocution is highest for power line installers at just under 30 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers. Electricians come in a distant second at four deaths per 100,000, and telecom installers, roofers, and construction helpers round out the top five. Some of the major causes of on-the-job electrical accidents include: The three main types of electrical accidents are electrical shock/electrocution that sends an electrical current into the body, electrical burns that can leave the skin severely scarred, and electrical fires that can spread, ignite flammable material, and cause injuries to multiple individuals. OSHA singles out the construction industry in general for the frequent number of electrical injuries that occur on a jobsite. Electrocutions have been listed as one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” leading causes of death in the construction workplace, accounting for 8.6% of all industry fatalities. OSHA conducts thousands of inspections of construction job sites every year. And unfortunately, electrical safety issues are always among the top 10 most frequently cited violations. Lockout/tag out violations are especially common, often due to inadequate worker training and failure to complete required periodic inspections. Wiring methods is another standard violation not only in construction, but in most other general industry sectors as well. This is most often due to faulty electrical wiring and improper use of extension cords. Third-Party Claims for Electrocution Accident Injuries Electrical accidents can often result in severe and even fatal injuries. Some of the most common include cardiac arrest, muscle, nerve, and tissue damage, and serious electrical burns. If a party other than your employer caused or contributed to the injury, you can sue them for damages over and above what would be available through workers’ comp. This type of situation is especially common with industries like construction where there are typically numerous employees, contractors, and subcontractors working near each other on a jobsite. Electrocutions can happen because of carelessness on the part of one of these parties, or it could result from a dangerous or defective tool or piece of equipment that causes an electric shock. These are just a couple examples of cases in which you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party. Compensatory damages available through a personal injury claim can be divided into two general categories: In Georgia, there is a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. If you fail to file within the required time frame, you may lose out on your right to pursue damages. This is one of many reasons why you should speak with an experienced attorney sooner rather than later. Contact Our Seasoned Atlanta, GA Electrocution Injury Attorneys If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an electrical accident in the workplace, Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. is ready to go to work for you! Message us online or call our Atlanta office today at 678-498-5810 for a free consultation and case assessment with a member of our legal team. We work on a contingency fee basis. You only pay attorney fees if we win your case. Electrocution Accident Attorneys in Atlanta
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