Construction sites are areas where high-voltage electricity is prevalent. Getting the work done requires substantial electrical power, which carries a certain amount of risk. Ideally, employers are supposed to follow strict safety guidelines to prevent electrocution injuries, but some employers fail in their duty to provide a safe working environment. For a variety of reasons, workers are put at risk, and some are seriously injured by electricity and even killed as a result.
Diamond Injury Law is dedicated to standing up for the rights of workers who have been injured on the job. Our firm works with victims of electrocution accidents to help them get much needed compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been electrocuted on the job, please contact our firm to tell us your story.
Danger Of Electrocution
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) considers electrocution one of the “Fatal Four” because it accounts for a significant portion of construction worker deaths. The Fatal Four lead to more than half of all deaths on construction sites, and electrocutions account for 8.5% of those deaths.
The statistics indicate that electrocution is a very real risk for anyone working on a construction site. As would be expected, electrical workers are the leading group for electrocution deaths in the U.S., at 34%, according to the Center for Construction Research and Training. But there are plenty of workers that are not electricians that are killed from the same cause. Construction laborers make up 16% of deaths, with carpenters (6%), non-electrical supervisors (5%), roofers (4%) and other trades (35%) following.
Common Injuries From Electrocution
If you are not killed by electrocution on the job, you may suffer a range of injuries related to electrocution that can have significant impacts on your life. Common injuries include brain injuries, heart issues, burns, nerve damage, organ damage and alterations in your vision or speech. How badly you are injured can depend on a variety of factors, including the time you are exposed to the current, the voltage, how much moisture is in the area and your health at the time of the electrocution.
Any of these injuries can have far-reaching consequences. You may deal with ongoing pain or impairment. You may not be able to work in the same capacity you once did, or work at all. Medical bills can keep stacking up as you try to treat your injuries. The outcome on each victim's life can vary, but electrocution injuries can be extreme in the damage they do.
Employers Are Obligated To Protect Workers
When you go to work, you do your best to get the job done and give your best to both your employer and your co-workers. You expect your employer and your supervisors to do their part in providing you with a safe working environment. As long as everyone is doing what they are supposed to do, and everyone is obeying safety protocols, you have a reasonable expectation of safety.
Unfortunately, some employers and/or supervisors fail to do their duty and keep you safe. In some instances, you may not even be aware that they are doing anything wrong or negligent. Construction sites are often hectic environments, with tight deadlines and multiple people working hard to get the job done. One minute you are doing your job, then next you are seriously injured.
Getting The Compensation You Deserve
As a worker, your employer and those in charge have an obligation to you to keep you as safe as they reasonably can. The fact that you were injured because someone else was careless or negligent is not acceptable, and you have the right to take legal action against those responsible.
After an accident, especially one as devastating as electrocution, it can be difficult to know what to do next. You may be in considerable pain. You may be feeling pressure from your employer or even your co-workers to downplay your injuries. Maybe the idea of a lawsuit makes you uncomfortable.
At the Ivan Diamond Bronx Personal Injury Attorney, we have worked with numerous construction workers, so we understand where you are coming from. But it is important to understand that the costs of your injury can be significant, both in money and in lost opportunities. You may need ongoing medical treatment, and you may be unable to work like you once did. By taking legal action and winning, you can get the money you need to cover all these costs.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Bronx personal injury attorney Ivan M. Diamond is passionate about helping construction workers get the compensation they deserve. Experienced in construction law and electrocution accidents, he can help you fight for your rights and ensure that you have every opportunity to win your case.
Please contact the Ivan Diamond Bronx Personal Injury Attorney today to discuss your case.
