With the need for multiple power source options in every room of a home or office building, electrical injuries have become all too common. Unfortunately, construction workers face increased risks of electrocution due to the nature of their job and the machinery involved. However, anyone at an improperly maintained site could be in danger of these painful and hazardous incidents.
If you suffered an electrical injury due to negligence, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to learn your options for pursuing civil recovery. At the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., an Elgin electrocution injury lawyer could work tirelessly on your behalf to seek compensation from those responsible for your accident.
Common Causes of Electrical Injuries in Elgin County
When it comes to workplace injuries, laws and statutes have been enacted to protect workers from these types of hazards. Yet, electrical accidents still frequently occur due to the following common safety hazards:
- Exposed wires without rubber or plastic insulation
- Improperly discarded extension cords
- Fallen telephone wires
- Faulty wiring in alarm systems, Jacuzzis, pools, or household appliances
- Commercial equipment malfunctioning
Sadly, many electrical injuries are caused by preventable acts of negligence. Negligence can refer to a failure to take safety precautions in preventing a foreseeable risk of harm. Electrocution victims who were injured because of poorly maintained wires or malfunctioning equipment should reach out to a nearby attorney to discuss who may have been negligent in causing the hazard.
Compensation for Electrocution Victims
In electrical accident cases due to someone else’s negligence, victims may claim any or all of the following damages:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages
- Future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (reserved for the most serious and negligent of cases)
Depending on the type of case, accident-related expenses could be recovered through insurance company settlements, personal injury claims, or employment-related litigation. If an Elgin employee was injured on the job, their electrocution injury attorney might advise them in filing for workers’ compensation.
Long-Term Effects of Electrocution Injuries
When it comes to electrocution accidents, the long-term effects can be catastrophic, even after short-term injuries heal. For instance, serious burns can lead to permanent scars. If an electrical current touches the eyes, it could cause early-onset cataracts. Significant shocks can also cause long-lasting pain, thermal burns, tingling, numbness, and tiredness due to internal injuries.
Additionally, electrocution injuries often lead to neurological dysfunctions with symptoms such as twitching, spasms, tightness, loss of sensation, or even nerve and tissue destruction from high voltage currents. These injuries can affect basic everyday functions like walking, using utensils, climbing stairs, sitting for long periods, or sleeping. They can also accompany memory and cognitive difficulties, like listening, speaking, hearing, and remembering. In these catastrophic cases, medical rehabilitation may not be enough to return a person to their pre-accident state. However, a supportive Elgin attorney could pursue comprehensive recovery on behalf of an electrocution victim to help ease their life moving forward.
Reach Out to an Elgin Electrocution Injury Attorney
After an electrical accident, your first priority should be to obtain medical care. Studies show that these types of injuries can have both short-term and long-term effects, and it is important to begin the rehabilitation process as soon as possible. After medical treatment, consider reaching out to a law firm with experience handling electrocution injury cases.
The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could assist you in seeking compensation for your medical costs as well as for your emotional suffering. If you or a loved one was harmed in an electrical accident, speak with an Elgin electrocution injury lawyer today to discuss what may be possible in your situation.
