How Does Electrocution From Power Lines Cause Death?

Electrocution from power lines causes death when the electrical current from the power line enters a person’s body, travels through and then exits the body, inflicting fatal injuries to the heart, brain, and other internal organs along the way.

A person can be electrocuted either by direct contact with the power line, or indirectly, by touching something that comes into contact with the power line.

It’s important to understand the extreme electrical voltage from power lines. Typically, it’s between 4,800 volts and 13,200 volts. For comparison, the voltage used in the electric chair for death penalty situations was between 5,000 and 200 volts.

If a loved one suffered a death due to an electrocution accident from power lines, an experienced electrocution accident lawyer who specializes in this complex area of law can help you and your family recover compensation for the loss of your loved one’s financial support and companionship as well as damages for medical costs, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. 

What happens when you get electrocuted by a power line?

When you get electrocuted by a power line, the electric current passing through your body can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, heart damage, arrhythmia, brain damage, paralysis, or internal organ damage which can result in serious injuries or death. 

When an electrocution from a power line occurs, the electrical current enters your body at the point of contact with the power source – usually your hand or your head – and the current travels through the body until it exits at the nearest point of ground, generally taking the most direct route. 

If the current pathway travels through the heart, mechanisms of death from electric injury include:

• Ventricular fibrillation – A condition in which there’s uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles in the heart, making them quiver rather than contract properly.
• Bradycardia – A slower than normal heart rate.
• Respiratory arrest – The cessation of normal breathing due to failure of the lungs to function effectively.
• Cardiac arrest – Electrocution can disrupt heart rhythm, which can lead to cardiac arrest, which is often fatal.
• Hyperthermia – Elevated body temperature due to failed thermo-regulation that occurs when a body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates. In electrocution cases, hyperthermia occurs from thermal injury to the tissues.
• Fluid loss
• Metabolic acidosis – A condition that occurs when the body produces excessive quantities of acid or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body.
• Direct injury to vital structures
• Severe burns – The significant electric voltage that runs through the body during an electrocution accident with power lines will cause major burns at both the entry and exit point, which can lead to death.
• Sepsis – When a person is electrocuted, chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight the infection can trigger a severe inflammatory response throughout the body.

Injury and death statistics

Every year in the U.S., there are 1,000 deaths caused by electrocution and 30,000 non-fatal electric shock incidents. (National Library of Medicine) 

Here are more statistics:

• Between 2011 and 2022, there were more than 1,200 electricity-related workplace fatalities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Overhead power line contact is the leading cause of workplace electrocution deaths, accounting for 48.2% of all electrical fatalities, 26% of electrical occupation fatalities, and 57% of non-electrical occupation fatalities, according to Electric Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
• The ESFI also notes that electrical fatality rates were 0.09 per 100,000 workers in 2020.
• 8% of all worker deaths in 2021 were in the construction industry
• The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) reports that between 1992 to 2015 about 3,000 construction workers died from electrocution, which is approximately half of all work-related construction deaths during that period.

Types of injuries

The most common injuries from a power line electrocution include: 

• Cardiac Arrest
• Heart Damage
• Arrhythmia
• Miscarriage
• Damage to muscles and tendons
• Muscle Pain
• Muscle Spasm
• Damage to muscles and tendons
• Back Pain
• Arm Pain
• Chest Pain
• Stomach Pain
• Eye Damage
• Paralysis
• Permanent disability
• Death
• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety
• Post electric shock syndrome
• Electrical Burns
• Thermal Burns
• Electrical Trauma
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Injuries caused by falls
• Internal Injuries
• Internal Organ Damage
• Brain Damage
• Neurological Damage
• Neurological Impairment
• Nerve Damage
• Dizziness
• Tingling
• Nose Bleed
• Loss of function

Safety measures to prevent injuries and death from power line electrocutions

To prevent injuries and death from power line electrocutions, there are important safety measures you should take:

• Get training – You should always receive specific safety training before working on or around power lines.
• Keep your distance – Always stay at least 10 feet away from a power line, and use a spotter to ensure a safe distance is maintained.
• De-energize lines – If you are working on or near an electrical line, ask the utility company to de-energize it or install insulating barriers before you begin.
• Inspect equipment – Be sure that all equipment being used near electrical lines have been properly insulated and are in good condition.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – PPE, such as insulated gloves, boots, and other clothing rated for electrical work, is essential for working on or near power lines.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) – GFCIs can turn power off quickly when electrical faults occur, which helps avoid serious injuries.
• Post warnings – Always have warning signs and barriers to keep people away from hazardous areas.
• Have an emergency plan – You should always have a well-fleshed-out plan in case of an electrocution, including quick access to first aid and emergency medical services.

Do I need a lawyer if a loved one suffered a death by being electrocuted by power lines?

If you lost a loved one in a power line electrocution, it’s in your best interests to hire an experienced electrocution lawyer who specializes exclusively in this highly complex area of law to file a wrongful death action. 

In this type of action, you and other surviving family members can sue the at-fault party for your loved one’s death if you can prove their negligence caused the accident. MCL 600.2922.

Through a personal representative, you can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, and loss of your loved one’s companionship and financial support.  

However, the power line electrocution accident claim must be filed within three years from the date of death or you lose your right to sue. An experienced attorney will help you determine fault and assess damages before timely filing your lawsuit and negotiating a full and fair settlement on your behalf.

Injured or a loved one suffered a death in an electrocution accident with power lines? Call now and Get help from an experienced electrical accident lawyer

If you were injured or someone you love suffered a death from an electrocution accident with power lines , you can call and speak with Jeff Feldman, arguably the nation’s most experienced electric shock accident and electrocution attorney, or Chris Stombaugh, who is widely considered one of the top trial lawyers in America today. Jeff and Chris have litigated electrocution cases and electric shock injury cases in multiple states for families whose loved ones were injured after an electrical accident that was caused by faulty consumer products, negligence in the building and construction industry, downed or low-hanging overhead power cables, and defective or poorly maintained pool equipment. Jeff and Chris also consult with injury lawyers throughout the country on electrical accident injury and wrongful death cases involving electricity. You can call Jeff and Chris toll free at (947) 282-4269 for a free consultation.