A lineman electrocuted on the job faces serious occupational hazards, including severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or death. Recent incidents across the U.S. show that these accidents can occur even with safety protocols, often resulting from equipment failure, inadequate protective gear, or accidental contact with energized components. Such events highlight the inherent dangers of maintaining power grids and the strong support networks within the lineworker community.
There may be a lawsuit for a worker who suffered an electric shock injury or death from an accident with electricity. The lineworker or his or her family may have a claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits against his or her employer. Additionally, liable third parties could be sued for pain and suffering compensation and wrongful death.
What to do if a lineman is electrocuted?
Below are 9 step to take if a lineman is electrocuted:
- Do not touch the utlility worker – If they are still in contact with a live conductor or energized equipment, touching them can transfer current to you.
- Call 911 immediately – Request emergency medical services and report a high-voltage line exposure involving a utility worker.
- Ensure the power source is de-energized (if trained/authorized) – Only qualified utility or emergency personnel should attempt to shut down power, ground lines, or confirm isolation.
- Use safe separation methods only if necessary and trained – If the person is still in contact and no one has yet de-energized the area, trained responders may use non-conductive tools (e.g., dry fiberglass pole rated for utility rescue) to separate the person—but only if it is safe and protocol-driven.
- Check responsiveness and breathing – If unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately if you are trained.
- Use an AED as soon as possible – Early defibrillation is critical in high-voltage exposure cases because cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of death.
- Treat for burns and trauma – Cover visible burns with sterile dressings. Do not apply ointments or ice.
- Monitor continuously until EMS arrives – Even if the person regains consciousness, they still require urgent hospital evaluation due to risk of cardiac, neurological, and internal injuries.
- Consult our attorneys if appropriate – If a lineman is electrocuted in an incident involving workplace conditions, safety violations, defective equipment, or possible negligence, consulting an attorney can help protect legal rights, preserve critical evidence, and ensure proper handling of communications with employers, insurers, or responsible parties.
Recent incidents
A lineman electrocuted on the job faces serious, often life-threatening risks, as recent incidents show. In December 2025, a lineworker in Mississippi was critically injured and airlifted after an on-the-job shock. In August 2025, two linemen in Florida were severely burned while working for Duke Energy, with one fatality prompting community support efforts. In November 2025, a lineman in Kentucky died from electrocution while reconductoring a power line. These cases highlight the persistent dangers linemen face, even with safety measures in place, and the importance of awareness, training, and accountability. Below are more details on those incidents.
Mississippi lineman electrocuted
A lineman working for the Holly Springs Utility District in Benton County, Mississippi, was seriously injured after being electrocuted while performing utility line work on Friday. Officials with the Mississippi Public Service Commission confirmed the incident, noting that emergency responders were called to the scene and the worker was stabilized before being airlifted to a regional hospital in critical condition. The lineworker’s identity has not been publicly released, and the circumstances leading to the electrical contact are currently under review by local authorities and utility officials.
The worker’s condition remains serious as the community and utility officials await further updates. Public Service Commissioner Chris Brown emphasized that the situation is being monitored, and extended thoughts are with the lineworker and his family during this challenging time. This incident highlights the risks utility workers face while maintaining critical infrastructure and has prompted local discussion about occupational safety and utility oversight in the region.
Source: ABC 24
Kentucky lineman electrocuted
A Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) lineman, identified as 26-year-old Kyle Ferree of Corydon, Indiana, was tragically killed after being electrocuted on November 6 while working to reconductor a power line in Oldham County, Kentucky. Ferree was killed during the course of his work, and LG&E colleagues, local officials, and family have since honored his life and service. The utility company described his death as a profound loss to the workforce, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ferree is remembered by family and co-workers as a devoted husband and father to two young daughters, with another child on the way, and as someone who loved his job, the outdoors, and the camaraderie of his profession. A “final call” tribute and procession were held by his fellow lineworkers, underscoring the strong bonds within the utility community. In addition to heartfelt remembrances, a fundraising effort has been organized to support his family during this difficult time.
Source: WDRB
Florida lineman electrocuted and two other lineworkers critically injured
Two utility contractors were critically injured after an electrical incident at a work site in Seminole, Florida, when a new utility pole struck a live power line, causing an explosion and fire. One of the lineman, Justin Bryan, 30, was electrocuted and died at the scene, while two others — including 27-year-old Auburndale native Jefferey Busch and 31-year-old Matthew Waldrop — were taken to the hospital with severe burns. Busch, a young father and apprentice lineworker working toward becoming a journeyman with Primoris under contract with Duke Energy, remains in critical condition and is facing additional surgery as the community and his family await updates.
Colleagues and fellow linemen have rallied in support of Busch and his family, emphasizing the strong bonds within the utility worker community and organizing outreach efforts across different companies to offer assistance during his recovery. Friends described Busch as both hardworking and well-liked, with many remembering Bryan for his positive attitude and camaraderie on the job. Investigators from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office are continuing their review of the incident, with OSHA notified as part of the ongoing inquiry into the circumstances that led to the fatal electrical contact.
Source: Fox 13
What causes a lineman to be electrocuted?
A lineman electrocuted on the job is typically the result of contact with high-voltage electricity, which can occur directly or indirectly. Common causes include touching live power lines, equipment failure, inadequate or improperly used personal protective equipment, insufficient grounding or safety procedures, environmental hazards like wet conditions, and human error or miscommunication among crew members. These factors highlight the inherent dangers of electrical work and the critical importance of proper training, safety protocols, and protective equipment to prevent serious injury or death.
Direct contact with energized lines
A lineman electrocuted on the job often occurs when the worker comes into direct contact with energized power lines. This can happen while climbing poles, handling wires, or working on transformers and other electrical equipment. Even a brief touch can result in severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or death due to the high voltage carried by these lines. Direct contact remains one of the most common and dangerous causes of electrical injuries among linemen.
Strict safety protocols and specialized training are essential to minimize this risk. Linemen use personal protective equipment such as insulated gloves, sleeves, and tools designed to prevent electrical flow, and follow procedures to de-energize and properly ground lines before work. Despite these measures, mistakes, equipment failure, or unexpected environmental conditions can lead to accidental contact with live lines, making vigilance and adherence to safety practices critical in protecting workers from electrocution.
Equipment failure
A lineman electrocuted on the job can result from equipment failure, which occurs when tools, transformers, or other electrical components malfunction while in use. Faulty or damaged equipment can create unexpected electrical currents, exposing workers to severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or even death. Even well-maintained systems can fail under high stress or extreme conditions, making equipment-related accidents a serious hazard in electrical work.
Preventing electrocution from equipment failure relies on rigorous inspection, maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols. Linemen are trained to identify signs of wear, use insulated tools, and follow strict procedures for handling electrical systems. Despite these precautions, sudden malfunctions or hidden defects can create dangerous situations, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, proper safety measures, and accountability for manufacturers and utility providers to protect workers.
Improper or inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
A lineman electrocuted on the job can occur when personal protective equipment (PPE) is missing, damaged, or used incorrectly. Insulated gloves, sleeves, helmets, and protective clothing are designed to prevent electrical currents from reaching the worker, but if they are worn improperly, defective, or not suited for the task, they may fail to provide adequate protection. Such failures can result in severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or death.
Ensuring proper PPE use is critical to minimizing risk. Linemen receive training on selecting, inspecting, and correctly using all protective gear, and employers are responsible for maintaining equipment in safe condition. However, human error, equipment degradation, or lack of proper PPE can still lead to electrocution, highlighting the need for strict adherence to safety standards, continuous training, and vigilance on the job.
Inadequate grounding or safety procedures
A lineman electrocuted on the job can occur when proper grounding or safety procedures are not followed. Without correctly de-energizing or grounding power lines, accidental contact with live electrical components can result in severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or death. Even experienced workers are at risk if standard safety protocols are skipped, misunderstood, or improperly implemented.
Following strict safety procedures is essential to preventing electrocution. Linemen are trained to test lines, de-energize equipment, and use grounding techniques to eliminate electrical hazards. Despite these precautions, lapses in procedure, miscommunication among crew members, or unexpected circumstances can create dangerous situations, underscoring the importance of consistent training, adherence to safety protocols, and workplace accountability.
Environmental hazards
A lineman electrocuted on the job can result from environmental hazards that create unexpected pathways for electricity. Wet conditions, storms, flooding, or contact with conductive surfaces like metal poles or equipment can significantly increase the risk of electrical shock. Even routine tasks become dangerous when weather or surrounding conditions make high-voltage lines more unpredictable.
Preventing electrocution from environmental hazards requires vigilance, proper planning, and adherence to safety protocols. Linemen are trained to assess conditions, use insulated tools, and follow procedures designed to minimize risk during adverse weather or challenging work environments. Despite these precautions, sudden changes in weather or unexpected hazards can still pose life-threatening dangers, emphasizing the need for situational awareness and strict safety measures.
Human error or miscommunication
A lineman electrocuted on the job can result from human error or miscommunication among crew members. Mistakes in following safety protocols, misjudging distances from energized lines, or misinterpreting instructions can lead to accidental contact with high-voltage electricity, causing severe burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or death. Even experienced workers are vulnerable when coordination or attention lapses occur in high-risk environments.
Preventing electrocution caused by human error requires rigorous training, clear communication, and strict adherence to established safety procedures. Linemen are trained to double-check equipment, confirm instructions, and maintain situational awareness at all times. Despite these precautions, mistakes or misunderstandings can still happen, highlighting the importance of teamwork, consistent safety practices, and accountability on every job site.
Lineman electrocuted versus lineman who suffers electric shock
Tragically, when a lineman has been electrocuted, the result is that he or she will have lost his or her life. However, if the powerline worker who has suffered an electric shock injury – as severe, disabling and life-altering as it may be – will not have suffered a fatal injury.
For a powerline worker killed by electricity, any claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits or wrongful death damages will be made by his or her family or a personal representative of his or her estate.
For a powerline worker who has suffered an electric shock and lived, then he or she could bring claims in his or her own personal capacity.
Worker’s compensation benefits
Workers’ Compensation death benefits for a lineman electrocuted will be paid by the lineworker’s employer to the lineworker’s dependents and family. These benefits will generally cover the lineworker’s lost wages – which his or her dependents would have relied on for support – and funeral expenses.
If the powerline worker suffers a non-fatal injury caused by electricity, then he or she will have a case against his or her employer for Worker’s Compensation benefits to cover medical bills and lost wages.
Wrongful death lawsuit
The “exclusive remedy” provisions of most states’ Worker’s Comp laws prevent a lineworker’s family from suing the lineworker’s employer for wrongful death. However, a wrongful death case can generally be brought against third parties who are not the employer or co-worker.
“Exclusive remedy” provisions are rules in most states’ Worker’s Compensation laws that limit an injured employee’s ability to sue their employers for injuries they suffer on the job, i.e., personal injuries that arise out of and in the course of their employment.
Pain and suffering compensation
When a powerline worker suffers serious but not fatal injuries, he or she can generally file an electric shock lawsuit against responsible third-parties – other than an employer or co-worker – for pain and suffering compensation. Such third-party liability is typically an exception to most state’s laws that Workers’ Compensation is an injured employee’s “exclusive remedy.”
What third parties could be liable for a lineman electrocuted?
The third parties other than an employer or a co-worker who could potentially have liability and be sued for a lineman electrocuted include:
- Companies and/or contractors and/or subcontractors 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 company that manufactured, sold or distributed the power line or power lines that involved in the electrocution or electric shock injury
- The company that designed or manufactured a defective component on a utility line, pole or structure
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
There is no single nationwide deadline, but in most cases the time limit to file a lawsuit after a lineman is electrocuted depends on state law and the type of claim involved.
Generally, personal injury claims (including those involving serious workplace injuries) have a statute of limitations of about 1 to 3 years in most states. However, some states allow longer periods, and others set shorter deadlines depending on the circumstances and the type of defendant (for example, private companies vs. government entities).
If the incident occurred on the job, workers’ compensation deadlines are usually much shorter, often requiring notice within days or weeks and a formal claim within a limited period. In addition, if a third party (such as an equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or utility contractor) may be responsible, separate filing deadlines may apply that are different from workers’ compensation rules.
Because these timelines can overlap and expire quickly, it is generally important to consult our attorneys as soon as possible after a lineman has been electrocuted to avoid missing critical filing deadlines.
Why choose the lawyers at Electrocuted.com for a lineman electrocution case?
Cases where a lineman was electrocuted require specialized legal expertise, and at Electrocuted.com, this is our exclusive focus. We handle lawsuits involving electrical accident-related injuries and electrocution deaths resulting from defective electronic products, faulty wiring, or inadequate safety controls. Our focus gives us a deep understanding of the unique challenges and complexities that many general personal injury attorneys may overlook.
With over 40 years of experience, our team has secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts nationwide, holding manufacturers, utility companies, and power providers accountable for serious electrical injuries. We work closely with a nationwide network of engineers, scientists, and medical experts to investigate every detail of your case, ensuring nothing is overlooked after a lineman was electrocuted. From start to finish, we provide personalized guidance, constant communication, and aggressive representation, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight for full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term impacts of your injury.
