Construction Electrocution Injuries

Construction sites are inherently dangerous. That danger is amplified when the site contains exposed electric wires, loose power lines and other forms of electric support.  Construction sites need a vast supply of power to run machines, equipment, computers and just about everything. This means that there are power lines running all over the place, and they can be dangerous.

At Crary & Domanico, P.S., we appreciate the need for construction in our city, but we also feel strongly that those sites need to be safe and free from unreasonable hazards, including hazards that pose the risk of electrocution.

Premises Liability

Almost all construction sites are on public land and thus generally open to the public. This means that if someone is injured on the site by a hazard created by the construction crew, then both the construction company and the city or county will be liable.

This is because of a legal doctrine called premises liability which holds the owner/operator of a property liable for any dangerous hazards on the property

At Crary & Domanico, P.S., we have experience in getting compensation for those injured in a construction zone. We understand that road construction is necessary, but we also know that the company and the government have a duty to keep construction zones safe for those who travel through them.

Construction Worker vs Public Injuries

When a worker gets injured, Washington law allows him or her to get worker’s compensation benefits, and this also protects the employer from lawsuits for injuries. However, if the injury is due to someone else at the site, like the company that maintains the equipment or the company put in the power lines, then the injured worker might be able to make a claim against this third party.

Construction sites are often open to the public, like a store remodel or a building refacing, and the owner of the site and the construction company has a duty to keep the place reasonably free from a hazardous condition that can injure someone. In these cases, the victim can make a claim directly against anyone responsible for the injury.

Electrocution Hazards

Any live source of power can cause electrocution. However, there are some common ways electrocution injuries happen at construction sites, and some of them are:

  • Sagging or fallen overhead power lines
  • Powerlines on the ground
  • Ungrounded power source
  • Power touching metal
  • Power source touching water or wet material
  • Frayed lines, cords
  • Improperly maintained/repaired equipment
  • Improperly configured outlets/junction boxes
  • Poorly designed wiring/lines

These are just a few, but basically, electricity will follow the path of least resistance, and sometimes that is into a person.

Medial Effects/Injuries Due to Electrocution

Electricity can flow in many types of conduits including the human body. However, when there is enough resistance, then the conduit heats up. This can bring severe injury to anyone who has come in contact with electricity.

Some of the common injuries from electrocution are:

  • Severe burns: first, second and third-degree
  • Heart damage/ attack
  • Nervous system damage
  • Organ damage
  • Brain damage
  • Loss of sight/smell/touch
  • PTSD
  • Mental Anguish

Compensation

If the court finds that the construction site owner didn’t do what a reasonable owner would do to keep the area safe, then the law can compensate the injured person for their financial losses. Some of these common losses that can be awarded are:

  • Medical Bills
  • Rehab Treatment/Equipment
  • Travel
  • Lost Time from Work
  • Future Lost Time from Work
  • Permanent Disability/Disfigurement
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Loss of Consortium (Intimacy, affection etc.)

These are a few and there could be others specific to each case.

Contact a Construction Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in one of the many construction zones in and around Spokane, you owe it to yourself to talk to an attorney who can tell you if you have a case that could get you compensation for your injuries. At Crary & Domanico, P.S., we offer a free consultation and we collect no money until you get an award or settlement.

We also have years of experience dealing with construction site injuries and working with insurance companies. We know all the tricks and tactics they use to keep you from getting fair compensation. Call us today and get someone on your side. You can call us at (509) 926 4900, or send us a message by clicking here.

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