Have You Sustained an Electric Shock Injury?

Electrocution Injury Claims

Electric shock is a physiological reaction or injury caused by an electric current passing through the body. Electricity passing through the human body can cause tissue damage or it can alter electrophysiological function. Electric shock occurs when part of the body comes into contact with an electrical energy source. This electrical energy flows through a portion of the body causing a shock.

Consequences of Electric Shock Injury

Injuries sustained from a shock can have many consequences on the human body. The severity of these consequences will depend on the voltage of the electrical energy source that the body has come into contact with. Burns are the most common injuries sustained as a result of an electric shock. There are however many variables that will determine the extent of the injuries sustained:

  • The type of current i.e. [AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current);
  • The pathway that the electricity takes through the body;
  • Voltage

What to do if you were Injured in Work due to an Electrical Shock.

The most common cause of electric shock injuries in Ireland is exposure at work. Working with electricity can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal. Your employer is obliged to ensure that every employee is provided with the correct protective clothing and training in order to avoid an electric shock injury occurring. If an employer fails in this obligation and an employee is injured as a result of this failure the employee may have a case.

If you have suffered an electric shock injury as a result of the negligence of your employer or anyone else it is advisable to contact a solicitor as soon as possible in order to obtain professional advice and guidance on what to do next. Obtaining advice from a specialist solicitor is invaluable when seeking to bring a claim for damages arising out of an accident at work. Your solicitor will be in a position to ascertain the correct respondents/defendants (as this may not be your employer) and answers any questions or queries that you as a claimant may have.

Electric Shock Injuries – What You Need to Know

  • Common Injuries Sustained from Electric Shock

    The injuries sustained through electric shock are many, however, the most common injuries are as follows:

    • Burns
    • Tissue Damage
    • Neurological Damage
    • Nerve Damage
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Seizure Disorder
    • Ventricular Fibrillation
    • Regional Pain Syndrome
    • Change in Personality

  • When to seek Medical Attention

    Following a low voltage electrical shock a person should seek medical attention if:

    • There is a noticeable burn to the skin
    • Numbness
    • Tingling
    • Paralysis
    • Problems with vision
    • Problems with speech
    • Problems with hearing
    • Confusion
    • It has been more than 5 years since a tetanus shot has been received
    • Burns are not healing properly or at all
    • If a woman is more than 20 weeks pregnant
    • Any other worrying signs or symptoms

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