Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyers

Aggressive Representation for Victims of Electrocution

The very nature of construction work makes it inherently dangerous. Workers deal with heavy equipment, often work in perilous conditions at heights, and they frequently work around exposed wires and other electrocution hazards.

In fact, in the United States electrocution is the second leading cause of death on construction sites. Electrocution is one of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Fatal Four” listing, which also includes falls, struck-by, and caught-in or caught-between hazards.

Although OSHA and other safety organizations have recognized the seriousness of shock and electrocutions on job sites, and have developed standards for workplace safety, there are still numerous electrically induced injuries on construction sites every day. Further, it takes as little as 50 milliamperes of electricity – which is just a tiny fraction of one amp – to cause death.

Risky Professions

On a construction site and elsewhere, there are many professions at risk for shock and electrocution. These include:

Utility workers
Construction workers
Carpenters
Painters
Electricians
Crane operators
Tree trimmers
Electricians
Foremen
Many others

Electrical Injuries

A wide range of injuries can happen when one deals with exposed wiring, as well as wiring that is not properly installed. These injuries can be extremely serious, and even deadly. Electrically related injuries can have a long-lasting – or even lifelong – impact on a person’s work and life in general. Many who are electrocuted may never be able to work again.

Common electrical-related injuries can include:

Nerve Damage
Brain Injury
Paralysis
Organ Damage
Burns
Disfigurement
Cardiac Arrest

Common Causes of Shock and Electrocution

Every job site should follow OSHA industry standards for safeguarding sites against electrocution. Some of the common causes of electrical accidents include:

Faulty equipment
Improper tools
Live wires that have not been grounded
Unmarked or poorly marked construction areas
Inadequate lighting
Contact with overhead power lines
Contact with energized sources
Improper use of extension and flexible power cords
Damaged power cords
Faulty electrical outlets
Working around water, or working while skin is wet, as water is a powerful conductor of electricity

Staying Safe on the Job Site

Always being conscious of the risks of electrocution, and taking precautions, is the best way to stay safe on a construction site. Even those who are not working directly with electricity may be susceptible to shock and electrocution.

The following guidelines can help you to stay safe:

Get appropriate training
Always follow procedures for lockout/tagout
Always use ground-fault circuit interrupters
Stay aware of overhead power lines, and maintain a safe distance from them
Use power tools and other equipment only for their designated purposes
Always check extension cords and tools for fraying, cuts, abrasions, and damaged insulation

If you have sustained an electrical injury, or a loved one has died from an electrical injury, you have a right to financial compensation. You may face a long road to recovery, an ever-climbing stack of medical and other bills, and time away from work to recover. The Philadelphia construction accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help you build a strong case for your injuries.

You may be entitled to compensation for the following:

Medical evaluation and treatment
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Medications
Lost wages, past and future
Pain and suffering
More