Electrocution Injuries / Electrical Accidents
Houston Electrocution Attorney
When someone is electrocuted or seriously injured in an electrical accident, the affects can be life altering. The frequency of these accidents has been on the rise in Texas over the past several years. Each year, people are severely injured and killed due to contact with power lines, and exposed electrical sources. Most of these occurrences are due to work-related accidental electrocutions. Electricians, technicians, and other electrical workers are at an increased risk of suffering a severe injury or wrongful death due to electrocution. When these injuries occur on the job, workers’ compensation benefits will provide some compensation for the injured workers losses, these benefits may be insufficient. At Wilhite & Lea, we handle workplace electrocution cases and thoroughly investigate whether a third party may be held liable for the electrical accident.
Attorney George Wilhite is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. At Wilhite & Lea, our firm has been representing electrocution victims throughout the Houston area for over 40 years. If you’ve been electrocuted, burned, or injured in an electrical accident, contact us to set up a free initial consultation to have your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. Our firm will help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to for the damages suffered as a result of the injury. We serve the greater Houston area, including: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Grimes, Washington, and Waller Counties.
Damages for Electrocution Injuries
The damages you might suffer from an electrocution can be devastating and may last for years to come. Some of these damages will include:
- Medical expenses incurred for treatment of the injury
- Future medical expenses for continued treatment or rehabilitation
- Loss of wages and future wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental pain and anguish
- Disability / Impairment
- Disfigurement
- Future pain and suffering
When these injuries occur, a negligent party may be found liable for the injury and will be held responsible for compensating the victim for the damages suffered. At Wilhite & Lea, our experienced personal injury litigation attorneys will fight to get the maximum recovery possible.
Common Causes of Workplace Electrocutions in Texas
Electrocutions can be caused by a number of factors. Most of these are related to worksite hazards, including:
- Improperly installed wiring
- Non-insulated wiring
- Sagging power lines
- Downed power lines
- Substandard protective equipment
- Contact between cranes and power lines
- Use of metal ladders near overhead power lines
- Use of scaffolds near overhead power lines
- Inadequate ground-fault protection
- Use of metal-reinforced hydraulic hoses
- Failure to kill the electricity before performing maintenance
- Lack of proper safety training
- Failure to comply with OHSA standards
Occupational electrocution is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in Texas and throughout the United States. If you’ve been severely electrocuted at work, it’s important to speak with an attorney to be advised of your rights to financial compensation.
Risk for Workplace Electrocution in Texas Industries
There are many industries in Texas where a worker may be at risk for electrocution. This is due to the nature of the job at hand and the possibility for mistakes made by the employer or a third party. Often times, substandard safety equipment, dangerous conditions, or failure to comply with required safety codes might create a hazardous workplace. Workers in Texas who are at the greatest risk for suffering electrocution include:
- Commercial Construction
- Residential Construction
- Maritime Work
- Refinery Work
- General Maintenance Work
- Electricians
- Utility company technicians
- Electrical Technicians
- Truck Drivers
- Oilfield Workers
If you are an employee working in any of these industries and are injured by electric shock, it is important to speak with an attorney about your right to compensation.
Electrocution and Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If your employer subscribes to workers’ compensation, then in most cases, you cannot sue them for damages but instead you will be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. If your employer is a “non-subscriber” meaning that they do not carry workers’ compensation benefits, then they can be sued and will be required to compensate the employee if found liable for the injury. At Wilhite & Lea, we are experienced in representing victims of accidental electric shock suffered on the job in non-subscriber cases. When an experienced electrocution injury attorney represents the injured plaintiff, these cases will often result in a much higher compensation than anything you would receive from workers’ compensation benefits.
Electrocution and Third Party Liability Cases
In cases where you are injured by electrocution on the job and your employer carries workers’ compensation, you will usually be legally unable to sue the employer for damages; however, if a third party was involved and may be found liable for the injury, you can file an electrocution injury lawsuit against the third party. Third parties in job-related electrocution cases may include manufacturers of defective safety or electrical equipment or property owners who fail to provide a safe environment.
At Wilhite & Lea, we have represented numerous victims of electrocution injuries where a third party was involved. In these cases, it is important to speak with an attorney right away to secure adequate legal representation as early in the case as possible. This will allow you the best chance at receiving the maximum recovery possible for the damages suffered as a result of the electrical accident.
Electrical Shock Caused by Defective Products
Accidental electrocutions, electrical fires, or electric shock may also occur due to the use of defective products among consumers, such as:
- Hairdryers
- Microwaves
- Curling irons
- Power cords
- Household appliances
- Power tools
Any product that runs on electricity can potentially cause an electric shock. When this occurs, the manufacturer, designer, or distributor of the product may be found liable if the electrocution occurred due to a product defect.
Injuries Suffered due to Electrocution
Electrocution injuries can be severe and may require continued medical care and rehabilitation. Some of the injuries inflicted on the body by an electric current, may include:
- Cardiac arrest
- Respiratory arrest
- Muscle paralysis
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Electrical burns
- High-voltage electrothermal burns
- Muscle damage
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Organ damage
If you have suffered any of these injuries to due electric shock or contact with an electrical current, it is important to speak with an attorney to help you recover compensation for the damages, including the medical treatment and continued rehabilitation as well as other damages.
Electrical Safety Resources
Electrical Safety Foundation International – The ESFI is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration – The OHSA works to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
Houston North Area Office
507 North Sam Houston Parkway East Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77060
(281) 591-2438
Houston South Area Office
17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77058
(281) 286-0583
Toll Free: (800) 692-4202
OSHA Electrical Standards – OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocutions, fires, and explosions.
Wilhite & Lea, P.C. | Texas Electrocution Lawyers
The Attorneys at Wilhite & Lea, provide aggressive litigation for personal injury and wrongful death claims involving electrocution injuries. We represent our clients to recovery compensation for damages suffered from electrical accidents. If you or a loved one has been severely injured by electric shock or hurt in an electrical accident, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation to have your case evaluated an attorney. We take personal injury cases anywhere in the greater Houston area, including: Spring, Cypress, FM1960 area, Harris County, Conroe, The Woodlands, Montgomery County, or the surrounding counties of Fort Bend, Grimes, Waller, and Washington. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.