What You Need to Know About Liability for Electrical Accidents

While not everyone at a construction site needs to be a licensed electrician, all of them must have some sort of training, so they are aware of the risks that they face at a construction site and what to expect when an electrician is working. When they have been injured, however, then they may need an attorney to determine liability.

A lot of energy can be expelled dangerously and unexpectedly during the start-up of a machine or piece of equipment prior to servicing, and construction workers can be injured when safeguards are not followed properly.

Electrocution Risks

There are a few common types of electrocution hazards, one of them is coming in contact with power lines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) has outlined specific requirements for construction workers to avoid coming in contact with power lines, such as with cranes.

Electrocution can also occur when workers are servicing machines or pieces of equipment by coming in contact with stored hazardous energy. The third most common way that electrocution occurs is through the improper use of electrical cords and extension cords.

When renovations are being done in an older building with faulty electrical outlets or really old wiring, then there is a higher risk of electrical fires and electrocution. Workers are also at risk when too many power tools are plugged into an outlet.

A lot of equipment that is necessary at a construction site requires enormous amounts of energy to run them. That can overload the socket and lead to fire or injury.

How To Protect Yourself

OSHA has outlined some guidelines on what to do how construction workers can prevent common mistakes while working near powerlines:

• Always look up before raising or extending tall equipment. 
• Check in all directions for power lines. Remember that lines and ladders don’t mix!
• Always call to have underground utilities marked before you dig.
• Work at a safe distance from all powerlines.
• Never put up tall equipment, such as scaffolding or cherry pickers, before looking up and checking.
• Take note of power lines that go through trees since they can carry a current.

Who is liable for an electrical accident?

The party that is considered liable for the accident will depend on the circumstances of the accident, so each claim needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis. There are a few different scenarios:

• The worker was drunk or high at the time of the accident and is liable for their injuries. Worker’s Compensation typically does not kick in.
• If a non-employee is injured due to a contractor’s negligence or a subcontractor’s negligence, then that contractor will be liable for damages.
• If you are a contractor or subcontractor and your employer was negligent in any way that caused you to be injured in an electrical accident, then Worker’s Compensation would cover your damages.
• In some cases, a property owner or utility corporation can be held liable if they were negligent.

What To Do If You Have Been Injured In An Electrical Accident

The best way to ensure you get the liable party to pay for your injuries is to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise you on what documents and evidence you will need to provide, what you need to file and which court deadlines you must meet.

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