Electrical injuries are just as likely to occur at home as in the workplace, and to office workers as much as to engineers dealing with overhead power lines. A piece of faulty equipment or wiring is all that is required.
While mild electric shocks are often experienced in the workplace, and do no long-term harm, any significant discharge of electrical current into a person's body can lead to severe and life-threatening personal injuries.
Thompsons Solicitors has the expertise and knowledge to help you make a claim against an employer if you have been injured as a result of an electrical accident.
Types of electrical injury
There are four main types of electrical injury:
- Electric shock – where the electrical signals between the brain and the muscles are disrupted. This can cause muscle spasms, affect the rhythm of the heart, and affect breathing.
- Electrical burns – these are more common with high voltage incidents, but are caused by internal tissues overheating as the electrical current flows through the body. Major surgery is sometimes required to repair damage.
- Loss of muscle control – sometimes the electrical current causes muscle spasms that are strong enough to result in broken bones. The loss of control may also cause the person to fall and harm themselves further.
- Thermal burns – electrical equipment can get extremely hot if it is being used incorrectly or if it is faulty, and can burn if touched.
There are also a number of factors that will affect the severity of the injury. These include:
- The voltage of the current – a higher voltage is more likely to cause injury.
- The length of exposure – the longer the person is subject to the current, the worse the injury is likely to be.
- The pathway – the exposure is more likely to result in severe injury or death if the current flows through the heart or other important internal organs.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of information for employers and facilities managers in respect of electrical safety.
Certain industry sectors, such as construction, farming and forestry, excavation and underground services, quarries, and public places have been highlighted to warrant specific advice from the HSE. Guidance has also been provided for workspaces and areas which could contain potentially explosive atmospheres.
There is also extensive information on electrical testing in the workplace and the role of electrical inspectors in the prevention of accidents at work.
To find out more please visit the HSE website.
Have you suffered and electrical injury at work
Thompsons Scotland is rated number one in the "Legal 500" legal directory for personal injury solicitors in Scotland.
We have a high success rate - winning more that 90% of all cases which go to court.
If you have been injured as a result of an electric shock in the workplace you might be entitled to claim compensation. Contact our No Win No Fee lawyers today on 0800 0891331 and we can investigate matters for you.
