Philadelphia Electrical Injuries Lawyer

Electrical accidents can lead to serious consequences for anyone exposed to these dangers. These incidents usually occur in work environments where exposure to electricity is common.

Whether working on construction sites, during power installations or while performing repairs, some workers face these hazards on a daily basis. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to an electrical accident, you may be able to recover compensation beyond standard workers’ compensation.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we advocate for workers and their families across the Tri-State area. Let us evaluate your case for free. A Philadelphia electrical accident lawyer can clarify what legal options are available to you. Email or call us for assistance now.

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What Leads to Electrocutions and Other Similar Incidents?

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the United States.

Electrical shock accidents can occur when someone accidentally comes in contact with an electrical source. While some of these incidents can happen in your home, the majority of them take place at worksites.

Electricians, construction workers, and even warehouse employees must be cautious when working around energized circuits. To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has safety standards that must be met on the job site. If safety standards have been ignored or there is faulty equipment, it could lead to electrocution. Here are some common causes of electrical shock:

Contact With Live Wires or Energized Equipment

Workers accidentally coming into contact with live electrical components can suffer severe injuries or fatalities. A lack of proper insulation, inadequate warning signs, or failure to de-energize equipment before maintenance or repair work is often the cause of these incidents.

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Electrical injury lawyer in Philadelphia

Improper Use of Extension Cords

Overloading or using damaged extension cords can lead to electrical accidents. Frayed wires, loose connections, or using indoor extension cords outdoors are safety hazards on the job site.

Inadequate Grounding

Improper grounding of electrical equipment can cause accidents. If equipment is not grounded properly, it can result in electrical leakage, increasing the risk of shocks.

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Lockout/tagout

Lack of Proper Lockout/Tagout Procedures

All employees must follow lockout/tagout procedures to keep a safe working environment. Without these measures in place, there could be an unexpected energization of equipment.

Insufficient Training

If workers come into contact with electricity, they must be trained in the proper procedures. A lack of knowledge about appropriate electrical safety procedures, such as identifying electrical hazards, using personal protective equipment, and following safe work practices, increases the likelihood of electrocution incidents.

Insufficient training for electrical workers

Injuries Resulting From Electric Shocks

While some electrocutions or shocks can leave behind minor injuries, some of them can be so severe that fatalities are a possibility.

Common impairments associated with electricity-involved accidents include:

  • Electricity burns
  • Electrical shock-induced injuries
  • Electrocution-related injuries

While the potential injuries described above are certainly a concern, an initial electrical shock isn’t always what leads to traumatic injuries. Instead, workers may lose their balance, leading to falls and subsequent injuries, such as broken bones or head injuries.

Additionally, secondary injuries may occur indirectly from electrical accidents, such as fires or explosions resulting from electrical malfunctions, causing a worker harm.

Many of these injuries can be prevented when a worksite is maintained and adheres to the proper electricity safety precautions. But sometimes, negligence plays a role, leading to serious injuries or death of workers in these industries.

If you suspect someone else’s negligence is to blame for what happened to you, reach out to a Philadelphia electrical accident lawyer for a free case consultation.

Workers’ Compensation and Exceptions in Electrical Shock Accidents

Under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, employees who suffer injuries due to electrical shock accidents cannot sue their employer directly for causing the accident. These benefits are considered adequate compensation in injury cases. However, there are exceptions to this general rule, and you will want to be aware of your legal options.

Workers’ compensation provides benefits when you’re injured on the job to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability. In these cases, you can receive benefits without proving that anyone was at fault or negligent in your accident.

While workers’ compensation bars direct lawsuits against employers, there’s an important exception known as the “intentional wrong” exception. If your employer’s conduct was intentionally reckless or malicious, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them.

In most personal injury cases, there needs to be proof of neglect through actions or inactions. With these cases, there is one step further. Not only must your legal team prove that the employer’s or third party’s actions were negligent, but they must be deliberate as well. Some examples may include:

  • An employer knowingly exposes workers to unsafe electrical conditions.
  • Ignoring safety regulations or deliberately disabling safety features.

In these cases, you may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Trying to determine whether you have the right to seek additional measures often requires the assistance of a skilled Philadelphia electrical accident attorney. If you would like to learn more about your options, contact Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan today.

Successful Results For Our Clients

  • $11 Million

    A roofer who sustained life-altering injuries when a portion of the roof he was working on collapsed.

  • $4 Million

    Construction worker suffered serious brain injury after falling 20 feet due to lack of required fall protection

  • $2.75 Million

    Dock worker run over by a forklift at a cruise ship terminal causing catastrophic injuries

  • $925,000

    Nail gun defect case that cause permanent injuries to a worker

  • $1 Million

    Nail gun accident where nail gun discharged sideways resulting in a nail hitting user’s eye

  • $1 Million

    A union carpenter fell through an interior mobile scaffold while at work, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures

  • $4 Million

    A construction worker fell 20 feet because he was not provided with fall protection

  • $8.5 Million

    A construction accident involving a union roofer who was working without fall protection and fell from a roof resulting in a permanent paraplegic injury

  • $1 Million

    On the job injury to a union carpenter who fell through an interior mobile scaffold, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures

  • $1 Million

    Factory supervisor’s hand was crushed at work due to faulty equipment/machine.

  • $1.5 million

    Worker sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion.

  • $2 Million

    Chemical exposure causing burn and inhalation injuries to three union carpenters.

  • $13 Million

    Work accident resulting in an above the knee amputation of the worker’s leg

  • $13 Million

    Philadelphia Kimmel Center construction collapse causing catastrophic injuries

  • $1.8 Million

    Stadium demolition accident which occurred when a front loader fell through a ceiling (Philadelphia, PA)

  • $2.8 Million

    Forklift accident at marine terminal in New Jersey

  • $13 Million

    Crane accident resulting in leg amputation and other injuries during casino construction (Philadelphia, PA)

  • Confidential Multi-Million Dollar Recovery

    Construction worker killed when he came into contact with an uncapped, live electrical wire

  • $1.5 million

    Injuries incurred in a workplace accident where plaintiff sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion

  • $2.5 million

    The electrocution death of a union electrician on the job, when electrical switch gear malfunctioned

  • $1.5 million

    Wrongful death of a tow truck driver who died on the job when he was accidentally run over by his own tow truck

  • $2.5 million

    Wrongful death by electrocution of a union electrician on the job, when electrical switchgear malfunctioned

  • $2.75 million

    Slip and fall case where client suffered serious personal injuries from a fall

  • $1 million

    The on the job injury to a union carpenter who fell through an interior mobile scaffold while at work, suffering bilateral calcaneal fractures

  • $1 million

    Injuries on the job incurred by a factory supervisor when his hand was crushed at work due to faulty equipment

  • $1.5 million

    Injuries incurred in a workplace accident on the job where plaintiff sustained severe burn injuries as a result of an electrical explosion

  • $2 million

    An inadvertent release of dangerous chemicals at a local oil company, causing on the job burn and inhalation injuries to three union carpenters

  • $4 million

    Construction worker suffered serious brain injury after falling 20 feet due to lack of required fall protection

  • $5 million

    A construction accident on the job where union laborer was killed while working on the fourth floor of a building because there was no fall protection

  • $8.5 million

    A construction accident on the job involving union roofer who was working without fall protection and fell from a roof resulting in permanent paraplegic injury

  • $12 million

    A construction accident on the job involving union roofer who fell from a roof because there was no fall protection and suffered quadriplegia

  • $7,500,000

    Union carpenter sustained serious shoulder injuries when he fell after stepping on another contractor’s debris

  • $101 million

    The collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City that injured over 30 construction workers on the job and killed 4 men working on the project (largest construction accident settlement in U.S. history).

  • $1.1 million

    Against a fraternity for negligently serving alcohol which resulted in a stabbing assault of two frat party attendees

  • $2.5 million

    A workplace accident on the job resulting in below-the-knee amputation of the plaintiff’s right leg

  • $2.5 million

    An on the job injury where an union carpenter fell on a construction site and was injured because of defective fall protection equipment

Who Is Liable for Electrocutions Occurring in Philadelphia?

When it comes to electrical accidents, determining liability is vital for seeking compensation in Pennsylvania. While workers may prevent victims from pursuing a legal claim against their employers, except in extreme cases, they may be able to file a lawsuit against a responsible third party. They may include:

  • Contractors & subcontractors
  • Equipment manufacturers, distributors, & retailers
  • Equipment rental companies
  • Service & maintenance companies
  • Public utility companies
  • Engineers

Why You Need to Consult with an Attorney at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan

Many workers mistakenly believe workers’ compensation is their only option after an electrical accident. However, this isn’t always the case. If you suspect intentional wrongdoing by your employer, consult an experienced attorney at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan.

When we take your case, we will thoroughly assess the details of your accident and injuries. We can determine your workers’ compensation benefits eligibility with a free evaluation and identify any potential third-party claims.

We understand that the world of workers’ compensation and personal injury law can be complex. Our team ensures your claim is filed accurately and submitted within the required timeframe. Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or disability, we’ll advocate for your rights under workers’ compensation laws.

While these benefits cover most workplace injuries, there are situations where third parties may share liability. We’ll examine whether other entities, such as equipment manufacturers, contractors, or property owners, played a role in the incident. If negligence or wrongful actions by these third parties contributed to your injuries, we can explore potential legal claims against them.

After an electrocution or other electricity-involved injury incident, you might not know where to turn or help. Contact a Philadelphia electrical accident lawyer in our office for a free consultation today.

The most common types of electrocution or electrical shock accidents happen as a result of:

  • Improper location or placement of overhead power lines
  • Improper location or placement of underground power lines
  • Improper use of extension cords
  • Lack of ground-fault protection
  • Direct or indirect contact with power lines
  • Improper use of equipment

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“My name’s Paul Bucci and I’ve dedicated my career to representing injured workers. When you’re injured on the job, you suffer a loss of income and financial hardship that few people will ever understand. Our goal here at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan is to put you back on your feet.”

Paul Bucci, Founding Partner