An electric shock lawsuit is a legal claim filed after someone is injured in an accident with electricity or killed by an electrocution accident, seeking compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Potential defendants include property owners, manufacturers of faulty products, utility companies, or employers, depending on the circumstances. If an employee suffers an injury from an accident with electricity at work, they may first file a workers’ compensation claim and can also sue a third party if their negligence caused the accident.
The compensation won through an electric shock lawsuit can cover a victim’s pain and suffering, medical bills and expenses, and lost wages when a victim’s injuries prevent the victim from returning to work.
If you have been injured in an accident with electricity, you may be able to file an electric shock lawsuit for pain and suffering compensation and economic losses, for workers’ comp benefits, or for wrongful death damages.
Can I file an electric shock lawsuit?
You may be able to file an electric shock lawsuit if you have suffered an injury in an accident with electricity or if you lost a loved one due to an electrocution accident. The compensation and damages you may be entitled to recover will depend on the laws of your state, your injuries, medical bills, and whether the injury occurred at work.
What types of lawsuits can I file after an electric shock injury?
After an electric shock injury, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering in non-work-related cases. Families who lose a loved one due to electrocution can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for burial expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. If the injury occurs on the job, an employee can file a workers’ compensation claim, and in some situations, may also pursue a third-party negligence lawsuit if someone other than the employer contributed to the incident.
Personal injury lawsuit
A personal injury lawsuit for an electric shock injury allows victims to pursue compensation when the incident occurs outside of the workplace and is caused by another party’s negligence. These cases often arise from unsafe premises, defective electronic equipment, exposed wiring, or failures to follow proper safety standards. To succeed, the injured person must show that the responsible party had a duty to maintain a safe environment, breached that duty, and caused the injury through negligence or carelessness.
Through a personal injury claim, a victim can sue for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the electrocution. This includes compensation for emergency treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, time away from work, reduced earning capacity, physical pain, emotional distress, and long-term complications such as nerve damage or burns. A personal injury lawsuit aims to ensure that the injured individual receives full financial recovery for both current and future effects of the electricity accident related-injury.
Wrongful death lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit after an electric shock allows the surviving family to seek justice and financial compensation when a loved one dies due to electrocution caused by another party’s negligence. These cases may stem from dangerous property conditions, faulty electrical systems, defective products, or failures to follow required safety regulations. The goal of a wrongful death claim is to hold the responsible person or company legally accountable for the preventable loss of life.
Through this type of lawsuit, the family can recover damages such as burial and funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support that the deceased provided. Wrongful death claims are designed to help families rebuild stability after a devastating loss and ensure that negligent parties are held accountable for the harm they caused.
Workers’ compensation
A workers’ compensation claim for an injury from an accident with electricity at work allows an employee to receive benefits without having to prove fault. These injuries commonly occur on construction sites, industrial settings, and in occupations involving working with electricity or electronic equipment maintenance. Through workers’ comp, an employee can receive coverage for medical treatment, wage replacement while unable to work, and vocational rehabilitation if the injury impacts their ability to return to their job. This system is designed to provide quick financial support for on-the-job injuries.
In addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim for an electric shock injury at work, an employee may also have the right to pursue a third-party negligence lawsuit if someone other than their employer—such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, utility company, or property owner—contributed to the electrocution. This type of lawsuit can provide additional compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits, including damages for pain and suffering and full lost income. Combining both claims helps ensure the injured worker receives the maximum recovery available.
Who are potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit?
Potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit include property owners or managers who knew—or should have known—about a power hazard and failed to address it, utility companies responsible for improperly maintained power lines, and manufacturers of defective electronic products that caused the injury. In workplace cases, employers may also be liable if they failed to provide proper safety training or protective equipment. Identifying the responsible parties is key to pursuing full compensation for damages.
Property owners/managers
Property owners and managers can be potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit if they fail to maintain a safe environment and that negligence results in injury. This liability arises when they knew—or should have known—about power hazards such as exposed wiring, faulty outlets, or wet conditions near power sources and did not take reasonable steps to fix the problem. Their legal duty is to ensure that both tenants and visitors are protected from foreseeable risks, and failure to do so can make them responsible for injuries that occur on their property.
In these cases, plaintiffs must show that the property owner or manager breached this duty of care and that the breach directly caused the electrocution. Damages sought can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs related to the injury. Holding property owners accountable encourages proper maintenance and safety measures, preventing similar accidents in the future.
Utility companies
Utility companies can be potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit if their negligence in maintaining power lines, transformers, or other power infrastructure causes an injury. This can include failures such as improper installation, lack of regular maintenance, or ignoring known hazards, which create a risk of electrocution to the public or workers. Because utility companies provide essential power services, they have a legal duty to ensure that their equipment is safe and does not pose a foreseeable danger.
To pursue a claim, the injured party must show that the utility company breached this duty and that the breach directly led to the injury from an electricity related-accident. Damages may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term complications resulting from the injury. Holding utility companies accountable not only helps victims recover financially but also encourages stricter safety standards and oversight in the industry.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit if a defective electronic product causes injury. This includes defects in design, manufacturing, or inadequate safety warnings that make the product unsafe for normal use. Because manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products meet safety standards, they have a legal duty to prevent hazards that could result in electrocution.
In such cases, the injured person must show that the defect directly caused the electricity-related injury and that the manufacturer failed to meet its duty of care. Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Holding manufacturers accountable encourages safer product design, proper testing, and clear warnings, reducing the risk of future injuries.
Employers
Employers can be potential defendants in an electric shock lawsuit if an employee is injured on the job due to unsafe working conditions or inadequate safety measures. This includes situations where the employer fails to provide proper safety training, protective equipment, or enforce workplace safety protocols. Employers have a legal duty to maintain a safe work environment and ensure employees are protected from foreseeable hazards, including electricity-related injury risks.
In these cases, the injured worker may file a workers’ compensation claim and, in some situations, a third-party negligence lawsuit if another party contributed to the accident. Damages can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term effects of the injury. Holding employers accountable promotes workplace safety and helps prevent future accidents with electricity.
What does a lawyer need to prove in an electric shock lawsuit?
To succeed in a negligence-based electric shock lawsuit, a lawyer must prove three key elements. First, the defendant owed a duty of care to the injured party, meaning they had a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment or product. Second, the defendant breached that duty by failing to act as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances, such as ignoring safety hazards or providing defective equipment. Finally, the lawyer must show that this breach directly caused the victim’s injuries and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Establishing these elements is essential to holding the responsible party accountable and securing compensation for the victim.
What types of damages can be sought after in an electric shock lawsuit?
In an electric shock lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for a variety of damages resulting from the injury. Common recoverable damages include medical and hospital bills, lost wages and reduced future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and emotional distress. In cases involving a fatal electrocution, families can pursue wrongful death damages, such as burial and funeral expenses and loss of financial support. These damages are intended to cover both the immediate and long-term impacts of the accident on the victim and their loved ones.
A family member or loved one got electrocuted at work
If your family member or loved one who got electrocuted at work was an employee, then it is likely that the “exclusive remedy” provision of the Workers’ Compensation law in the state where your loved one was electrocuted at work will prevent you and your family from suing his or her employer for wrongful death.
Your recovery against your loved one’s employer after his or her work-related electrocution will be limited to worker’s compensation death benefits that will generally cover lost wages that the employee’s dependents would have relied on for support. Benefits may also cover funeral expenses.
However, if your loved one was an independent contractor—not an employee—when he or she got electrocuted at work, then your family may be able to file an electric shock lawsuit for wrongful death against the business that hired your loved one.
Regardless of whether your loved one was an employee or an independent contractor, your family may be able to file an electric shock lawsuit for wrongful death against any responsible third parties whose negligence caused and/or contributed to your electricity accident-related injury.
Average electric shock settlement amount
Unfortunately, there is no public or private entity—at either the state or the national level—that collects, updates, reports, and/or publishes data about the average settlement amount for electricity related accidents. This is where the experience, reputation, and knowledge of your electrocution attorney really matter most.
If you want to find out how much your settlement is worth, you can call us for a free consultation with one of our experienced electrocution attorneys.
How much compensation can I get?
The amount of compensation you may recover in a settlement for an electricity-related accident depends on several factors, including (1) the severity of your injuries, (2) your current and future medical needs, (3) whether your ability to work is affected, (4) your pain and suffering, and (5) your lawyer’s experience, track record, and reputation.
Your choice of lawyer is particularly important when it comes to your settlement amount. Insurance companies and utility companies keep tabs on attorneys, and they know what attorneys go to trial and which ones don’t—and which ones “settle cases short.”
The bottom line is that attorneys who are known for going to trial can obtain a settlement for your electricity accident related injuries for more money and often much faster.
Who are the liable parties that can be sued in an electric shock lawsuit?
If you suffered an electricity accident-related injury or electrocution in a non-work setting, then you can name any liable party as a defendant in your electric shock lawsuit for pain and suffering compensation and other damages. However, if an employee’s injury or electrocution occurred at work, then there are fewer potentially liable third parties.
In fact, the third parties (who do not include an employee’s employer or a co-worker) who may be sued for an electrocution at work that results in death or injury may include:
- Companies and/or contractors who were 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
Why choose the lawyers at Electrocuted.com for my electric shock lawsuit?
At Electrocuted.com, we specialize exclusively in electric shock and electrocution lawsuits, including injuries caused by defective electronic products, faulty wiring, or improper safety controls. This is not just a focus—it’s our entire practice, which allows us to fully understand the unique challenges and complexities that many other personal injury attorneys may overlook.
With over 40 years of experience, we have secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts nationwide, holding manufacturers, utility companies, and power providers accountable for serious and life-changing injuries. We collaborate with a nationwide network of engineers, scientists, and medical experts to investigate every detail of your case, ensuring nothing is missed. From start to finish, we provide personalized guidance, constant communication, and aggressive representation, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight for the full compensation you deserve.
