If a utility worker suffers an electrocution, immediately call emergency services and do not approach the worker or the power line until it has been confirmed safe. Once the area is secure and the electricity is turned off, carefully assess the worker and provide first aid. Focus on maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation, while remaining alert for potential spinal injuries.
There may be a case for pain and suffering compensation or wrongful death if a utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted. Those cases could be against any responsible party other than the worker’s employer. A Workers’ Comp case could likely be brought against the employer.
Most states have laws which make Workers’ Compensation the “exclusive remedy” for utility workers who suffer an electric shock injury or electrocution on the job. The laws require utilities to pay for the injured worker’s medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, but the laws also prohibit the utility workers from suing their employers (i.e., the utilities) for compensation for the pain and suffering they have suffered as a result of their workplace injury.
However, there are often other parties whose negligence may be responsible for a utility worker’s electric shock injury or electrocution and, thus, who can be sued for pain and suffering compensation or wrongful death.
What To Do Immediately If A Utility Worker Was Trimming Branches And Was Electrocuted?
If a utility worker is electrocuted while trimming branches, the first step is to call 911 or your local emergency number, providing clear details about the electrocution, the fallen power line, and the worker’s condition. Do not touch the worker or the power line, as they may still be energized, and maintain a safe distance to avoid a secondary shock. Additionally, alert others nearby to stay away from the area to prevent further accidents until professional help arrives.
Call 911
If a utility worker is electrocuted while trimming branches, it is critical to call 911 immediately. Provide the dispatcher with clear and accurate information, including the location of the incident, the fact that the worker was electrocuted, the presence of any downed power lines, and the worker’s current condition. Giving detailed information helps emergency responders arrive prepared and respond quickly, which can be lifesaving. Stay on the line and follow any instructions from the dispatcher until professional help arrives.
Ensure safety
After a utility worker is electrocuted while trimming branches, ensuring safety is the top priority. Do not approach or touch the worker or any nearby power lines, as they may still be energized and pose a serious risk of further injury. Keep a safe distance from the scene and prevent others from entering the area until trained emergency personnel arrive. Only once the area is confirmed safe by professionals should any assessment or assistance be considered, minimizing the risk of secondary electric shock or additional accidents.
Alert others
If a utility worker is electrocuted while trimming branches, it is important to alert others immediately to prevent additional injuries. Warn anyone nearby to stay clear of the area, emphasizing the presence of downed power lines and the risk of live electricity. Use verbal warnings, signals, or barriers if available, ensuring that bystanders do not inadvertently approach the scene. Keeping others at a safe distance until emergency responders arrive helps reduce the chance of secondary accidents and keeps the area secure.
What To Do At The Scene When A Utility Worker Who Was Trimming Branches And Was Electrocuted When It Is Safe
Once emergency responders have confirmed that the power line is no longer live, it is safe to approach the utility worker who was electrocuted while trimming branches. Begin by assessing the victim’s condition, focusing first on their airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Be prepared to treat for shock, and if a spinal injury is suspected—such as from a fall—keep the person as still as possible, avoiding any movement of the head or neck unless absolutely necessary. Do not move the victim unless they are in immediate danger, as moving someone who has been electrocuted can worsen injuries. Ensuring the scene is safe and following these steps helps protect both the victim and those providing aid.
Confirm the power is off
When a utility worker has been electrocuted while trimming branches, it is essential to confirm that the power is off before approaching the scene. Always wait for emergency responders to verify that the power line is no longer live, as attempting to help too soon can result in a secondary shock or further injuries. Ensuring the electricity is completely de-energized protects both the worker and anyone providing assistance, creating a safe environment to begin assessing and treating the victim.
Assess the victim
Once the scene where the utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted is confirmed safe and the power is off, the next step is to assess the victim. Start by checking the worker’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) to identify any life-threatening conditions. Look for signs of burns, irregular heartbeat, or other visible injuries, and monitor their level of consciousness. A rapid but careful assessment helps determine the urgency of medical intervention and ensures that emergency responders receive accurate information upon arrival, allowing them to provide the most effective care.
Treat for shock and possible head or spine injury (due to a fall)
If a utility worker is electrocuted while trimming branches, it is important to be prepared to treat the person for shock. Monitor their breathing and circulation, keep them calm, and cover them with a blanket if possible to maintain body temperature. If a spinal injury or head injury is suspected (due to a fall) keep the victime completely still and avoid moving their head or neck unless it is absolutely necessary to prevent further harm. Prompt and careful attention to shock and potential spinal or other serious injuries can be critical until emergency responders arrive.
Workers’ Compensation Claim For A Utility Worker Who Was Electrocuted While Trimming Branches
A utility worker who suffers an electric shock injury or is electrocuted while trimming trees and branches as part of his or her job will have a case for Workers’ Comp benefits against his or her employer.
In the event of an electric shock injury, Workers’ Comp will likely cover medical bills and lost wages. In the event that the utility worker loses his or her life as a result of electrocution, the Workers’ Compensation laws will likely cover the worker’s family’s actual expenses and the ongoing “cost” of losing their family member’s or loved one’s companionship, emotional and financial support and parental guidance to minor children.
Suing Responsible Parties Other Than The Employee’s Employer
If a utility worker was trimming and branches and was electrocuted then they or their family may be able to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering compensation or wrongful death against any of the following parties (so long as they are not the worker’s employer) to the extent their negligence caused and/or contributed to the worker’s injury or death:
- Companies and contractors who may be involved in the inspection, maintenance and repair of utility power lines, utility poles, utility pole tops and utility pole top facilities (such as devices, hardware, attachments, braces, insulators, pins, insulator ties, crossarms and transformers)
- The manufacturer, seller or distributor of the power line at issue
- The company that designed or manufactured a defective component on a utility line, pole or structure
If A Utility Worker Was Trimming And Branches And Was Electrocuted But Not Killed
If a utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted but not killed, there may be a case for pain and suffering compensation against a responsible party other than the worker’s employer.
If A Utility Worker Was Trimming Branches And Was Electrocuted And Died
If a utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted and died, his or her estate may have a case for wrongful death against a responsible party other than the worker’s employer.
The wrongful death laws of the state in which such a tragedy occurs will determine who among the utility worker’s surviving family members can bring the lawsuit on behalf of the worker’s estate.
Issues in a wrongful death case include:
- Whether the utility worker experienced conscious pain and suffering before he or she passed away
- Whether the utility worker was married and had children or dependents
- The utility worker’s age and how long he or she may be have been expected to work, which shows the worker’s lost earning capacity into the future
- Whether the responsible party’s or parties’ actions were sufficiently egregious, reckless and/or fraudulent to warrant punitive or exemplary damages
Trimming Trees Near Power Lines
The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires electric utilities to trim trees, branches and vegetation near power lines. This is a serious public safety obligation for utilities because it helps prevent electrocution shock injuries and electrocution.
When trees and vegetation gets too overgrown, the weight of the trees and branches can bring down power lines, exposing people on the ground to a potentially deadly electricity-related threat. Similarly, overgrown trees and branches can cause power lines to fall due to a storm, high winds and/or heavy snow and ice accumulation.
Why Choose The Attorneys At Electrocuted.com If You Or A Loved One Was A Utility Workers Who Was Electrocuted While Trimming Branches And Injured Or Killed?
If you or a loved one was electrocuted while trimming branches as a utility worker, the attorneys at Electrocuted.com offer specialized expertise and dedicated support to help you pursue justice. Their focus is exclusively on electrocution and electrical injury cases, ensuring clients receive experienced representation tailored to these complex situations. Choosing their team provides access to:
- Over 40 years of experience handling electrocution and electric shock cases.
- Specialized knowledge of utility work hazards, power-line safety, and regulatory issues.
- Nationwide network of experts, including engineers, medical researchers, and safety professionals, to investigate accidents thoroughly.
- Focused advocacy against large utilities and insurance companies to secure fair compensation for injuries or wrongful death.
This combination of experience, expertise, and resources makes Electrocuted.com uniquely qualified to represent victims of workplace electrocutions.
