South Carolina Electrocution Accident Injury Lawyers

Many people think of electrocutions as freak, rare accidents. The reality is that electrocutions happen more often in South Carolina than they realize. Electricity is everywhere, after all – in homes, offices, and more than ever, in cars. We’re always plugging something in these days.

What if the electricity we take for granted, through someone’s negligence, does us harm? Electrocution can cause painful, long-lasting injuries, and even death. Was it really an accident, or did someone’s mistake cause that injury?

If you’ve suffered an electrocution injury due to another person’s negligence, you should file a personal injury claim for the costs of your injuries. But most insurance companies make more money if they can pay out less for your claim. And in South Carolina, if the insurance company can prove that you are at least 51% at fault for your electrocution injury, they could deny your claim completely. Before you agree to anything, it’s important to know that you can get clarity on your case with a free professional opinion.

If you or someone you love has suffered an electrical injury or was killed from an electrocution in South Carolina, contact us immediately or call 1-866-900-7078 for a free case evaluation.

Types of Electrocution Injuries

Electrocution encompasses a wide range of injuries from contact with electricity, some of which can be fatal. Here are the four primary types of electrocution injuries, as defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Cardiac arrest
• Muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction
• Thermal burns from contact with an electrical source
• Falling or other similar injuries associated from an electrical shock

While those injuries are the most common, there are other effects that may manifest as a result of electrocution. Additional physiological effects can accompany a serious electric shock, including:

• Headaches
• Amnesia or short-term memory loss
• Mood swings
• Mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia

What Jobs Are Most at Risk for Electrocution in South Carolina?

Electrocution accidents primarily occur because of unsafe and unmonitored working conditions, so if you or someone you know has suffered from electrocution at work, the fault may lie with someone else. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that electrocution is the 3rd leading cause of construction worker deaths.

OSHA also conducts thousands of inspections of construction sites each year. The top ten most frequently cited OSHA violations often involve electrical safety issues, including wiring methods. Construction workers are four times more likely to be electrocuted than workers in all other industries combined. The risk is greatest in young construction workers ages 16 through 19.

Other high risk industries include:

• Utilities
• Mass Transit
• Industrial manufacturing
• Telecommunications
• First responders

OSHA has estimated that, across industries, there are 350 electricity-related deaths every year – or about one death every day. Whether it is poor training, lack of supervision, poor safety measures, or simply faulty work, electrocutions on the job are a very real risk. In such cases, it is highly advisable to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What Are the Electrocution Risks at Home?

Home gives people a false sense of security and can pose very real risks of electrocution – especially among children. Johns Hopkins Hospital reported that children account for 20% of electrical injuries, which occur most often in the home. Exposed electrical outlets and wires are the main culprits. Significant injuries, including facial deformities, have been reported in cases of children who have bitten electrical cords. Some common causes of electrocution around the house include:

• Plugging too many appliances or technology devices into a single outlet
• Forcing a plug into an outlet when it doesn’t fit
• Using cords that are in poor quality or condition (fraying, for example)
• Using electrical appliances near water
• Using indoor cords for outdoor use

With the rise of electric cars, we’re also facing a new risk. What if the high voltage battery and power system in an electric car fail, or if a technician fails to repair or maintain it properly? What seems like an accident may be negligence. A personal injury attorney can evaluate the facts and advise you on the next steps.

Who Can Be Liable for Electrocution Injuries in South Carolina?

Whether it’s because of faulty equipment, poor maintenance, human error, negligence or lack of supervision, those who can potentially be held liable for an electrocution injury in South Carolina may include:

• Property owners
• Power companies
• Contractors
• Equipment operators
• Contractors or operators responsible for repairs and past maintenance
• Electric automobile technicians

Experienced South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With an Electrocution Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has suffered severe electrical shock or death by electrocution, contact us or call 1-866-900-7078 for a free case evaluation. You could be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or wrongful death.