ELECTROCUTED IN SAN DIEGO ON THE JOB? WORKERS’ COMP FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK
Electricity is an essential part of modern life, but it also poses serious risks in the workplace. In 2016 alone, more than 1,600 employees suffered work-related electrical injuries. Electric shock incidents can cause muscle spasms, electrical burns, nerve damage, bone fractures, and even respiratory arrest. In the most severe cases, electrocution can be fatal. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), over half of all fatal electrical injuries occur in the construction industry—though any worker exposed to electrical hazards is at risk.
If you are electrocuted on the job, you may be eligible to file an electric shock injury claim and receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits typically cover all medical treatment related to your injury, along with a portion of your lost wages while you are unable to work. However, to secure these benefits, you must follow the required reporting procedures and submit the correct forms within the designated timelines.
Because electric shock cases often involve complex medical and legal issues, consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure your claim is filed properly and that you receive the maximum compensation allowed under California law.
How do I prove my electric shock injury was work-related?
To prove a work-related injury in San Diego, an employee must show that the injury happened while performing job duties and was caused by conditions or activities related to their employment. In most cases, you must establish that:
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You were on the job or performing a task for your employer when the injury occurred
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You were engaged in work-related activities—not personal errands or unrelated tasks
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You suffered a real, documented injury, verified through medical evaluation
Most injuries can qualify as work-related if you can demonstrate that your job duties or work environment caused or significantly contributed to the injury.
Contact Our San Diego Electric Shock Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one suffered an electric shock injury at work, you may be entitled to significant benefits, and you should not face the legal system alone. Electric shock cases often require detailed investigations, medical evidence, and strict filing deadlines. One mistake can delay or even derail your workers’ compensation lawsuit.
At The Law Office of Matthew Russell, we understand how devastating these injuries can be. Our experienced workers’ compensation team will:
- -Evaluate your electric shock injury and explain your legal options
-Help you file or pursue a workers’ compensation lawsuit
– Handle all documentation, forms, and deadlines
– Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf
– Fight aggressively for the medical care and compensation you deserve
Contact us today at (619) 544-1506 to schedule your free consultation.
HOW TO CLAIM WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR AN ELECTRIC SHOCK
In addition to notifying your supervisor of your electric shock injury, you must file a DWC-1 claim form. If your employer doesn’t provide you with one, you can download a copy from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations website. You will also need to file an Application for Adjudication of Claim, a Declaration Pursuant to Labor Code 4906(g), as well as a cover sheet for all of the forms you’ll submit to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
The insurance company must respond to your claim within 14 days. If your electric shock claim is approved, you’ll begin receiving temporary disability payments equal to two-thirds of your normal weekly wage. If the electric shock injury left you with lasting limitations as determined by your doctor, you will receive permanent disability payments. Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, you will receive payment for all reasonable medical expenses related to your injury.
Most common electrocution work injuries – Electrocution lawsuits
If you suffer an electric shock injury at work, the most important step is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel “fine,” being electrocuted can cause serious internal injuries—including nerve damage, heart complications, and muscle or neurological issues—that may not appear right away. A doctor must evaluate you as soon as possible to document your condition and begin treatment.
Once you are safe and medically stable, take the following steps:
1. Report the Electric Shock Injury to Your Employer Right Away
In California, you must report a work-related electric shock injury within 30 days, but waiting can hurt your claim. Report it to your supervisor as soon as possible so the accident is officially documented and you can begin the workers’ compensation process.
2. Document What Happened
Write down every detail while it’s fresh in your mind, including:
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What you were doing before the electric shock
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The source of the electricity (equipment, wiring, power tool, etc.)
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What occurred during and after the shock
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All symptoms you felt, even if they seem minor
This documentation can be vital evidence for your workers’ comp claim.
An electric shock injury happens when a person’s body becomes part of an electric circuit. Electricity flows between parts of the person’s body or through the body to the ground. The effect of an electric shock can be as mild as a slight tingling feeling or as severe as cardiac arrest. Symptoms of an electric shock injury depend on the amount of current flowing through the body, the path through the body, the length of time the body remains in the circuit, and the current’s frequency.
Electricity can cause injury in four ways. Burns are the most common type of electric shock injury, and an electric burn is the most serious. It generates heat in the body and can cause muscle, nerve, or tissue damage that requires immediate medical attention. A worker can also suffer a thermal burn by making contact with the electrical source. If a worker receives an electric shock while working on an elevated platform, he or she might fall and suffer a broken bone. The most serious electrical shock injury is cardiac arrest.