According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), electrocutions account for one worker fatality per day, on average. In fact, electricity plays a part in one-fifth of every OSHA violation recorded in 2012. However, even cases where safety stands have not been violated, electricians run a higher risk for injury than most other workers.
Minor electric shocks are a part of life. Think of every time you’ve shuffled your feet across the rug, only to experience a sharp static shock. Same thing sometimes happens when you remove clothing from a dryer. For construction workers and electricians, however, the risks and ramifications of those shocks can be much greater. Some of the most commonly seen causes of electricians injured on the job include:
- Defective machinery or equipment
- Ungrounded wires
- Poorly or improperly installed electrical systems or features
- Cut cables and wires
- Malfunctioning, high-voltage power lines
- Unmarked live wires
- Poor training
These accidents can result in serious burns, tissue damage, muscle damage, cardiac arrest, vision loss, seizures, hearing loss, and nerve damage. In fact, some electrical shocks can lead to falls on hard surfaces or off of roofs, leading to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries or even paralysis. Many of these serious injuries can be permanent, requiring a lifetime of physical therapy or medical care.
If you have been injured on the job as an electrician, it is important to explore your legal options. Contact us today.
The experienced attorneys at Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C., are well versed in handling a variety of cases within the state of New Jersey. Contact our firm for your free initial consultation and have any questions answered.