The first thing to do when someone is being electrocuted is to turn off the power, if possible. Next, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to help a victim or even approach an individual experiencing an electric shock until they are no longer in contact with the electrical source or the electricity is safely turned off.
Calling 9-1-1 and seeking immediate medical attention is urgent for all electrical shock injuries. Even when there are no visible burns to the skin, there are often internal injuries caused by electrical currents that, when left untreated, could prove to be fatal or result in long-term disability and pain. Traumatic brain injury caused by electrical shock injury is also common.
What To Do When Someone Is Being Electrocuted
If someone is being electrocuted, never touch them directly. Turn off the power or use a non-conductive object to separate them, call 911 immediately, check breathing and pulse, start CPR if needed, and treat burns with a clean cloth. Medical attention is critical even if they seem fine.
Once the immediate danger is addressed, we guide users through step-by-step instructions in clear, actionable language. Each step—shutting off power, safely moving the person, checking vital signs, performing CPR, and treating burns—is broken down with practical tips, safety warnings, and the reasoning behind each action, helping users respond confidently in an electrical emergency.
Do not touch them directly
If someone is being electrocuted, do not touch them directly. Electricity can travel through the body, and touching the person could cause the shock to pass to you. The first priority is to remove the electrical source safely by turning off the power or using a non-conductive object such as wood, rubber, or plastic to separate them from the source.
Turn off the power
The first step in helping someone who is being electrocuted is to turn off the power if it is safe to do so. Locate the circuit breaker, unplug the device, or shut off the main power source. Removing the source of electricity immediately reduces the risk of further injury to the victim and anyone nearby.
Call 911 immediately
If someone is being electrocuted, call 911 immediately. Prompt emergency response ensures trained medical personnel arrive quickly, which can be lifesaving. Provide clear details about the situation, including whether the person is conscious, breathing, or still in contact with electricity.
Once the person is free from the source
Once the person is free from the electrical source, the first step is to check their responsiveness by gently tapping them and shouting their name. This helps determine if they are conscious and able to respond on their own.
Next, check their breathing and pulse. If either is absent, begin CPR immediately. If the person is breathing, place them in the recovery position on their side to keep the airway clear and reduce the risk of choking. Continue to monitor them closely until emergency responders arrive.
Treat burns and injuries
After the person is free from the electrical source, treat any burns or visible injuries carefully. Cover burns with a clean cloth or sterile gauze to protect the skin and prevent infection. Avoid applying ointments, ice, or breaking blisters, as this can worsen the injury.
Keep the person calm, warm, and still while waiting for emergency responders. Even if injuries seem minor, electrical shocks can cause internal damage or irregular heart rhythms, so prompt medical evaluation is essential. Monitoring and supportive care can prevent further complications until help arrives.
Watch for secondary issues
After an electrical accident, it’s important to watch for secondary injuries that may not be immediately visible. Electrical shocks can cause internal damage, irregular heartbeat, muscle injuries, or fractures from sudden muscle contractions during the shock.
Even if the person appears unharmed, medical evaluation is essential. Closely monitor breathing, pulse, and alertness while keeping them calm and still until emergency responders arrive. Early attention to secondary issues can prevent serious complications and improve recovery outcomes.
What To Do When Someone Is Being Electrocuted By Downed Power Lines?
You should take the following safety steps when a person has suffered an electrocution by downed power lines: (1) call the power or utility company responsible for the downed power lines; (2) call 9-1-1; (3) stay away from the victim until the utility company has verified that it has de-energized the power lines.
What Should You Do When Someone Is Being Electrocuted But The Power May Still Be On?
The safest thing to do when someone is being electrocuted – but the power may not have been shut off yet – is to wait to approach and render first aid to the victim. Until the power has been shut off, the step potential of the electrical current could electrocute you even if you do not have direct contact with it.
A source of electricity that has caused accident-related injuries or death – such as a live, downed power line – emits rings of voltage that travel outward away from the source and from the victim. The voltage is strongest and the most dangerous when it is closest to its source. As such, the voltage decreases as the rings move further away. The danger of electrocution arises if and when you try to help the victim and your feet end up in different rings of electrical current with different voltages.
The difference in voltage between your feet can cause the electrical current from either of the voltage rings to enter and surge through your body, resulting in life threatening electrical trauma.
What To Do When An Individual Has Come In Contact With Electricity In A Swimming Pool
The #1 most important safety tip of what to do when someone is being electrocuted in a swimming pool is: DO NOT ENTER THE WATER. If you do, you may also suffer an electrocution in water from the electrical current in the pool water. Next, immediately turn all off power sources connected to or near the pool.
To help a person suffering from an electrocution in a swimming pool, use a non-conductive, carbon fiber rod (such as a fiberglass Shepherd’s crook/rescue hook) to the person to loop the person’s body and pull them (face up) to safety.
As soon as you become aware that an electrical accident is occurring in a swimming pool, you or another witness should immediately call 9-1-1.
First Aid Treatment
The first aid treatments that should be considered include: (1) mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if the person is not breathing or having difficulty; (2) CPR (by someone trained) if the injured victim’s heart has stopped beating; (3) rolling a victim on his or her side if he or she is vomiting or has lost consciousness; and (4) call 9-1-1.
For an injured victim who is not breathing, an (AED) Automated External Defibrillator may be used if one is available.
It is essential to get prompt medical attention when someone is being electrocuted. A doctor specialized in treating burn victims will know to examine for: (1) contact points showing where a burn occurred; (2) fractures; (3) dislocations; and (4) neurological deficits. Trained medical staff will also know how to diagnose full-thickness thermal burns, internal injuries, and provide necessary spine assessment and immobilization.
Should I Get A Lawyer If Someone Has Been Electrocuted?
If someone has been electrocuted—especially on the job, in a public place, or due to faulty equipment—contacting a lawyer is highly recommended. Electrical injuries can cause serious, long-term, or even fatal consequences, and a lawyer can help:
- Determine liability: Identify who was responsible—employers, property owners, or manufacturers.
- Secure compensation: Cover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and long-term care if needed.
- Navigate legal complexities: Electrical accident claims, workers’ compensation, and personal injury laws vary by state.
- Protect your rights: Early legal guidance ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines for claims or lawsuits are met.
Even if the victim seems okay initially, hidden injuries or long-term complications may appear later. Consulting an experienced electrical injury attorney ensures the victim’s health and financial protection are prioritized.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit If Someone Has Been Electrocuted?
The time you have to file a lawsuit after someone has been electrocuted depends on your state’s statute of limitations. In most states, personal injury claims must be filed within 1–3 years of the accident, while wrongful death claims often have different deadlines. Consulting an experienced electrical injury attorney promptly is important to protect your rights and ensure deadlines are met.
What Damages Can A Lawyer Help Me Recover If Someone Has Been Electrocuted?
If someone has been electrocuted, a lawyer can help recover damages including medical expenses, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and, in fatal cases, wrongful death damages such as loss of companionship or support.Early legal guidance ensures all potential compensation is protected.
Medical expenses
If someone has been electrocuted, a lawyer can help recover medical expenses resulting from the injury. This includes costs for emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, follow-up treatments, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Electrical injuries can also cause hidden internal damage, so medical care may be ongoing and expensive.
An experienced lawyer ensures that all medical costs are accounted for in a claim, including future treatments and specialized care. By documenting expenses thoroughly and working with medical experts, the attorney helps secure compensation that covers both immediate and long-term healthcare needs, allowing the victim to focus on recovery without financial stress.
Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
If a person has been injured in an electrical accident, a lawyer can help recover lost wages for the time they were unable to work due to the injury. This includes pay for missed days, overtime, or bonuses, ensuring the victim is not financially penalized for time spent recovering.
In cases where the injury causes long-term disability or limits the ability to work in the future, lawyers can also pursue compensation for reduced earning capacity. By working with financial and vocational experts, an attorney can calculate the impact on future income, helping secure fair compensation for both present and ongoing financial losses.
Pain and suffering
If someone has been electrocuted, a lawyer can help pursue compensation for pain and suffering, which covers the physical and emotional impact of the injury. This includes ongoing pain, trauma from the accident, and the stress of recovery.
Pain and suffering damages also account for changes in quality of life, such as difficulty performing daily activities, loss of enjoyment, or emotional distress. By documenting medical records, expert opinions, and personal accounts, an attorney ensures these non-economic impacts are properly represented in a claim, helping the victim receive fair and comprehensive compensation.
Wrongful death damages
If someone has died from being electrocuted, a lawyer can help recover wrongful death damages for the surviving family. These damages compensate for the loss of the loved one’s financial support, guidance, and care.
Wrongful death claims can also include loss of companionship, emotional support, and comfort. By working with legal, financial, and medical experts, an attorney ensures the full impact of the loss is documented, helping families secure compensation that addresses both financial and emotional hardships caused by the fatal accident.
What Happens When An Employee Has Been Injured In An Electrical Accident At Work?
If an employee has been injured in an electrical accident at work, it is treated as a serious workplace injury. Immediate steps include ensuring the person is free from the electrical source, calling 911, and providing first aid if safe. After the emergency, the incident must be reported to the employer and documented.
The injured worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and long-term care. If negligence or unsafe conditions contributed to the electrical accident, an experienced electrical injury lawyer can also help pursue additional compensation through a personal injury claim. Early legal guidance ensures rights are protected and all benefits are properly claimed.
Why Choose The Lawyers At Electrocuted.com For My Case?
If you are someone who has suffered an electrical injury, the lawyers at Electrocuted.com are uniquely qualified to help. We specialize in handling electrical injury and wrongful death cases, giving us unmatched expertise in the medical, legal, and emotional challenges these cases often involve.
With over 40 years of experience, we have secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts nationwide, holding manufacturers, utilities, power companies, and other responsible parties accountable. By collaborating with a network of engineers, scientists, and medical experts, we thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case to ensure nothing is overlooked.
From start to finish, we provide personalized guidance, clear communication, and aggressive representation, so you can focus on your recovery while we pursue the full compensation you deserve for the physical, emotional, and financial impact of an electrical injury.
