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September 16th, 2013

Workplace Electric Shock Accidents – The Danger of Overhead Lines

Electric accidents can happen anywhere – on the job, at work or at home. Electric shock accidents are often fatal, and if not fatal, result in major injuries. Electric shock survivors often suffer disabling, disfiguring injuries and can spend months in the hospital, undergoing rehabilitation.

Electric Shock Accidents at Work – Coming Into Contact with an Overhead Line

Electric shock accidents which occur at work often involve a worker coming into contact with a live overhead line. For example, a worker in a bucket truck may accidentally come into contact with an energized, live line and suffer electric shock.  This type of electric shock accident tends to occur due to unsafe work practices. Oftentimes, companies and contractors fail to follow certain electrical safety precautions required by OSHA.

For instance, OSHA regulations often require that live lines be de-energized prior to starting work near overhead lines. This applies to tree trimmers, carpenters, train/railway workers, etc.

Why Overhead Electric Shock Accidents are So Dangerous

In addition, electric shocks at heights are especially dangerous due to the risk of falling. Not all electric shock accidents are fatal. Workers can and do survive electrocutions. However, when working at heights and near overhead lines, workers risk being electrocuted and then suffering a secondary accident – falling. Even at falls from heights of 6 or 7 feet, workers can sustain fatal spine or head trauma.

For example, a worker in a bucket truck who is working near a line may suffer a minor electric shock. However, the physical reaction may cause the worker to fall out of the bucket truck. These kinds of accidents, falls after an electric shock can happen to anyone working near an overhead line, such as:

  • scaffold workers,
  • carpenters,
  • utility workers,
  • crane workers,
  • steel workers, and
  • electricians.

Related Electric Shock Work Accident Legal Articles:

PA & NJ Electric Shock Accident Lawyers

To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey electrical accident and injury lawyers, call Click To Call. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.

Our work place electric accident attorneys serve workers injured in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; he County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.

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