Electric shocks are serious incidents that can result in severe, life-changing injuries or even death. These injuries can happen unexpectedly, often leaving victims with long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In this article, we outline the causes and symptoms of electric shock injuries and explain how you can pursue compensation for your losses.
What is an Electrical Injury?
An electrical injury occurs when an electric current passes through the body, causing damage to tissues, organs, and the nervous system. These incidents can happen in homes, workplaces, or public spaces and vary in severity, from minor discomfort to life-threatening trauma.
Common outcomes of electric shock include:
- Severe burns
- Tissue and nerve damage
- Loss of limbs
- Falls from height
- Cardiac arrest or death (electrocution)
Typical causes include:
- Faulty or exposed wiring
- Defective electrical appliances
- Contact with high-voltage equipment
- Downed power lines
Jobs with Higher Risk of Electric Shock
Certain occupations involve regular exposure to electrical hazards, placing workers at greater risk. These include:
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Kitchen staff
- Hairdressers
- Theatre technicians, sound engineers and musicians
If you sustained an electric shock at work due to employer negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer is legally required to:
- Maintain a safe working environment
- Conduct risk assessments
- Provide proper safety training and protective equipment
- Regularly inspect, test, and repair electrical systems and devices
Failure to fulfil these duties may form the basis of a workplace injury claim.
Electric Shock in Public Places
When visiting a public space, you are owed a duty of care by the business, organisation, or local council responsible for the premises. If this duty is breached and results in an electric shock injury, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
Common public spaces include:
- Hotels
- Restaurants and pubs
- Libraries
- Hair salons
- Airports
- Retail stores
Frequent Causes of Electric Shock Accidents
- Exposed electrical components: Damaged or live wires should be promptly repaired or secured.
- Poor maintenance: Electrical equipment in public or work settings must be PAT tested and routinely maintained.
- Contact with liquids: Common in environments like salons where water and electrical tools are in close proximity.
- Inadequate earthing: Faulty or missing earthing can cause equipment to become live, posing serious shock risks.
Symptoms of Electric Shock Injuries
The effects of an electric shock depend on the intensity and duration of exposure. Common symptoms include:
- Burns (thermal and electrical)
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle spasms or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or disorientation
- Bone fractures from falls
- Tinnitus and hearing issues
Severe cases may result in:
- Cardiac arrest
- Coma
- Death
Electric shocks often occur without warning, making them particularly traumatic. Unlike other hazards, electrical risks are invisible and silent, there’s no smell, sight, or sound to indicate danger, which can contribute to lasting psychological trauma.
Long-Term Effects of Electrical Injuries
Electric shock survivors may suffer from prolonged or permanent health issues, such as:
- Nerve damage and loss of sensation
- Muscle twitching or weakness
- Severe burns requiring months or years to heal
- Memory problems or brain damage (often from secondary injuries like falls)
Treatment for Electrical Injuries
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Minor shocks may only need basic first aid and rest. Severe cases may involve:
- Emergency CPR or defibrillation
- Hospitalisation
- Ongoing rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy or psychological support
- Immediate medical attention is essential following any electric shock.
Claiming Compensation for Electric Shock Injuries
If your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries – compensation for your pain suffering and loss of amenity.
- Medical expenses: Including prescriptions, private treatments, and rehabilitation
- Loss if earnings: If you’ve missed work due to the injury or medical appointments
- Travel expenses: Costs for hospital visits, transport, and parking
- Care and assistance: provided by paid carers and/or family members
Who Can Make a Claim?
Anyone injured by electric shock due to another party’s negligence may be able to bring personal injury claim. This includes:
- Individuals injured in the workplace, public areas, or private property
- Family members of those who have died from electric shock
Note: Personal injury claims in England and Wales must typically be filed within three years of the incident. Seek legal advice as early as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
Get the Support You Deserve
Suffering from an electric shock can be devastating, physically, emotionally, and financially. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation and support your recovery.
To find out if you have a potential claim and what steps to take next, get in touch with Oliver & Co Solicitors. Our specialist personal injury team is here to guide you through the process with expert advice and support.
We have recently helped the following client’s recover compensation for electrical related injuries:
We were able to recover over £48,000 for a 37 year old man from London who suffered with tinnitus and misophonia when he suffered an electric shock injuries he made contact with an exposed live wire during the course of his employment.
We were also recently able to recover £6000 compensation for a man who sustained a minor electrical burn to his finger when the storm machine/back pack unit he was using to clean a train with at work caught fire (an electrical fire) and in trying to remove the defective back pack his finger was burnt.
Contact Us Today
Our specialist personal injury solicitors are on hand to give you advice and let you know if you can make a compensation claim for your electrical injury. Call us today on 01244 312306, fill in the form on our Contact Us page or email us at law@oliverandco.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
