Many of us use electrical gadgets at home and in the office, and this exposes us to the risk of electrocution, especially if the gadgets are faulty, or wrongly installed. Before the genius experimental success by Michael Faraday in the 17th century, nobody had to worry about having potentially fatal amounts of electric currents run through their bodies (electrocution), but nowadays, it’s a risk that everyone must be aware of.

What is Electrocution? 

Electrocution describes the passage of electricity through a human body, and based on the current intensity, type of current (AC or DC), path of current through the body (usually the hand), length of time of electrocution, body mass of the victim, etc. its effects can range from minimal to severe. No one should ever experience the pain or aftermath of electrocution, because it can be a horrible ordeal.

How does electrocution occur?

Electrocution, also known as electric shock occurs when an individual makes contact with an active electrical energy source. This energy source could be something as simple as a socket, toaster, or photocopier at work.

Electrocution Injuries

Electrocution injuries are the harmful health effects of exposure to injury and the nature of the injuries may differ based on the previously stated factors. There are four types of electrocution injuries: Flash, Flame, Lightning and True electrical injuries. Flash injuries are typically caused by an arc flash. The current doesn’t penetrate the skin, so the usual injuries are superficial burns. Flame injuries are also caused by an arc flash, they don’t penetrate through the skin too, and may cause clothes to catch fire. Lighting injuries involve short but extremely high voltage energy and in this cases, electrical currents flow through the entire body. True electrical injuries occur when the victim completes the electrical circuit and becomes part of it. Some of the injuries and symptoms associated with electrocution are slight pain, dizziness, cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, loss of memory, breathing difficulties, burns, severe muscular contraction, and even death. If the electricity passes through the head, there’s a risk of long-term nervous system breakdown. Sometimes, electrocuted people don’t feel any initial pain or obvious injury, but it would be wise to still treat them as victims of electrocution. This is because victims of electrocution may sometimes experience internal injuries or bleeding that can only be detected through a thorough medical exam. Victims that develop no major injury or cardiac issues after a day or two after electrocution are unlikely to experience these issues.

There are also indirect injuries related to electrocution. Victims of electric shock often experience loss of balance and are sometimes thrown off the electrical source which may lead to secondary physical damage such as blunt head trauma, broken body parts, and cuts.

Susceptibility to electrocution

People become more susceptible to electrocution in cases of incorrect wiring, damaged extension leads, poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure, unprofessional installations, downed powerlines, contact between electrical appliances and water, etc. More than half of all reported adult electrocutions occur in the workplace, while child electrocutions mostly take place at the home. High-risk industries for electrocutions include: construction, manufacturing, education and health services.

How to handle an electrocution

The early you take after an electrocution may help in managing the effects of electric shock and prevent further injury.

Handling an electrocution as a witness

If you witness an electrocution, your best bet is to call 911 or any other emergency healthcare lines. This is to protect yourself and help the victim get the required medical help as soon as possible. Keep some of these few tips in mind:

• Avoid contact with a victim of electrocution if they’re still connected to the source of electricity.
• Avoid moving a victim of electric shock by all means
• Turn off the source of electricity from the major source. Switch off the generator or disconnect from the main power line.
• If the individual is still in contact with the source, and is too shocked too move, use an insulating material such as dry wood, rubber, or plastic to sever the contact. It is imperative to remember not to use a wet or conducting material like iron to carry out this action.
• Keep away from the area if the electrocution is caused by an active powerline. Anything you try to do in this case will likely hurt you.
• If you can, check the victim’s breathing and pulse, if they’re faint or inexistent, apply CPR until professional medics arrive.
• Keep the person warm

Handling electrocution as a victim

Loss of balance and awareness may occur after an electrocution, but it is important to focus and keep calm to salvage the situation. Keep these tips in mind:

• Call 911 or any emergency healthcare line. If you are too destabilized to do that, cry for help and ask the people that come running to help you out.
• Move away from the electrical source, but don’t perform any other movements until medics arrive.
• Try your best to disconnect yourself from the electrical source as soon as you can.
• Treat any cuts, wounds or burns to prevent infection.

How can lawyers help with electrocution issues?  

Beverly Law helps with electrocution cases with NO UP FRONT PAYMENT. 877-427-2752.  Victims of electrocution often have to deal with medical bills, lifelong injuries, pain, or bills for electrical rewiring if the electrocution ordeal short-circuited the whole building. These bills could amount to a lot, and may plunge victims into debt. Some of these victims may also have to deal with permanent or temporary conditions that may render them unfit for work, and lead to job loss.

These consequences shouldn’t be borne solely by the victim, especially if the electrocution wasn’t really their fault. Electrocutions are known to be caused by negligence, incompetence or ignorance of another party, usually the electrical wiring company in charge of that particular outlet. These parties should take responsibility for the horrible occurrence and pay compensations for the incidence, not just for financial losses and burdens, but also for the suffering, pain, and misery that their mistakes caused.

Beverly Law have years of experience in helping victims of electrocution get back to their feet by ensuring that they get the proper settlements they deserve. Their attorneys are professionals and they will empathize with you, treat you as their only client and make sure you’re fully compensated for all your losses.

Contact Beverly Law today and let them help you determine your chances of entitlement funds. They are confident in what they do, and they are here to help victims of electrocution.