Let a Fort Lauderdale Electrocution Lawyer Help After an Electrical Shock Injury
In Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere throughout the U.S., we rely on electricity so much that we tend to forget how dangerous it can be. While office workers and people in their homes may not often run the risk of electrocution, the same cannot be said of workers in construction and other industries who work with high voltage electrical lines and equipment.
Electrocution, also known as death by electric shock, is a daily hazard in the construction industry. What many people do not realize, however, is that when an electric shock is not fatal, it can still cause severe long-term injuries. Workers who suffer electric shock injuries are often entitled to compensation and should consider consulting a construction accident attorney experienced in handling cases involving electrocution.
Understanding How Electrocution Injuries Occur Among Construction Workers
The human body conducts electricity naturally, so it is easy for an electric current to pass through someone who comes in contact with a source of electricity. Problems arise when the current is too great for the body to handle safely. At low levels, a person experiencing a shock might only notice a tingling sensation. Slightly higher levels could cause the body to jerk or fall, potentially causing injuries.
Long-term damage usually occurs with exposure to high currents, particularly if the exposure is lengthy. A shocked individual may undergo muscle contractions that prevent them from disconnecting from the source of the electricity. A larger current can cause tissue damage and trigger cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation. Electric shock injuries in the workplace may include:
- Damage to the brain and/or spinal cord, disrupting bodily functions
- Burns with subdermal damage
- Heart damage
- Injuries to internal organs or muscle tissue
While electric shock injuries sometimes leave burn marks or other indications, severe injuries may have no visible signs on the skin. The effects can be devastating, often requiring long-term medical treatment and resulting in permanent disabilities. For that reason, construction accident attorneys often help clients with electric shock injuries seek relief through the workers’ compensation program, personal injury lawsuits, insurance claims, or other means.
Risks to Workers in Fort Lauderdale
Household electricity incorporates numerous safeguards to protect users, but those safeguards are absent on a construction site. Workers frequently come in contact with high-voltage power lines and equipment.
When the power level is strong enough, a worker can be injured simply by coming close to dangerous equipment without even touching it because the electricity ionizes air particles to “jump” to the body. Construction accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale know that injuries caused by exposure to electricity are some of the most common accidents on a job site and often the most deadly.
Work with a Construction Accident Attorney Familiar with the Long-Term Effects of Electric Shock Injuries
Workers suffering from electricity exposure often face substantial medical bills when they are unable to work. An attorney who handles workers’ compensation claims or construction injuries will work to recover compensation to cover bills and lost wages. Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer may also be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim to seek damages for pain and suffering and other effects. Each case is different, so to learn what may be possible in your situation, contact us online or call 954-784-6310 today for a free consultation.