Florida Shock Hazard Attorney
While electricity is an amazing phenomenon that powers our homes and businesses, it is also dangerous. Indeed, those who have been victims of an electrical shock know just how dangerous—and sometimes deadly—electricity can be. At the law office of Halpern, Santos & Pinkert, P.A., our Florida shock hazard attorneys are passionate about representing victims of electrical shocks and spreading the word about shock hazards. Please reach out to us today if a preventable shock hazard has caused you or a loved one a serious injury.
The Risks of Electrical Shock
An electrical shock injury occurs when a person comes in direct contact with an electrical current, resulting in damage to the skin or/and internal organs. As explained by the Mayo Clinic, how severe and how dangerous an electrical shock is depends on various factors, including the type of current, how high the voltage is, the person’s overall health, how quickly the person is treated, and how the electrical current traveled through the person’s body. With that in mind, some of the biggest risks and complications of electrical shock include:
- Confusion
- Severe burns
- Heart problems (arrhythmia)
- Heart attack
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Death
In addition to these immediate effects of a shock, a person may suffer long-term or permanent disability, high medical bills associated with treating the shock injury, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
Common Shock Hazards
Electrical hazards may exist in the home, the workplace, or in other public and private spaces. Some of the most common electrical shock hazards include:
- Faulty wiring
- Electrical outlets
- Exposed electrical parts
- Overloaded circuits
- Exposed wiring
- Downed powerlines
- Improper grounding
- Electricity around wet conditions
Who’s Liable Following a Shock Injury?
When a person suffers a severe electrical shock that leaves them injured, determining the cause of that electrical shock is important for a few reasons. First, the hazard should be remedied immediately to avoid further injury; second, how the injury occurred can provide clues about liability.
Liability for a shock injury depends on negligence and fault. For example, a property owner may be held negligent for the injury if they knew that the electrical hazard existed, yet failed to remedy it. Or, a contractor who installed the electrical wiring or failed to properly ground a system could be held liable. Another commonly liable party: the manufacture of a defective product. If you can prove that your or your loved one’s injuries would not have occurred but for the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, you can pursue a claim for damages.
Call Halpern, Santos & Pinkert, P.A. Today
At the law office of Halpern, Santos & Pinkert, P.A., our experienced personal injury attorneys can investigate your case and help you to recover compensation after suffering a serious shock injury. To learn more about liability for shock hazards and how our law firm can help, reach out to us by phone or online at your convenience for your free consultation. We are here to help you!
