Burns, Shocks, and Electrocution: The Dangers of Electrical Injuries

Electrical injuries can be something as small as a first-degree burn, or something as devastating as dying from electrocution. These types of injuries can occur as a result of being struck by lightning, operating a defective machine, or even plugging an appliance into an electrical outlet. Regardless of how your injury occurred, electrical injuries are painful and can lead to long-term consequences. These injuries should be taken just as seriously as any other type of personal injury.

What are electrical burns and shocks?

According to the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, electrical burns happen when a person is struck by lightning, touches an exposed part of an appliance, or comes into contact with electrical wiring. The burns can range from extremely serious to very mild. However, even the slightest contact with an electrical current has the ability to cause damage to a person’s tissues, skin, or organs.

The signs and symptoms of electrical burns are:

• Noticeable burns on the body or skin
• Feeling lightheaded
• Headaches
• Feeling weak
• Numbness or tingling
• Heart arrhythmias

An individual may suffer an electrical shock if an electrical current travels through their body. These incidents typically arise from the same causes as electrical burns. For example, if a person touches a power line that is down after a storm, they may experience an electrical shock. Parents of young children often worry about their children touching wall outlets, which actually accounts for 15 percent of electrical shocks.

The signs and symptoms of electrical shocks are:

• Burns
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling
• Seizures
• Cardiac arrest or heart attack
• Hearing problems
• Vision problems
• Muscle twitches or spasms
• Breathing issues
• Loss of consciousness
• Heart arrhythmias

A quick note about battery-related electrical injuries

Though most severe electrical burns are related to the flow of electricity, defective batteries can also cause serious damage. In particular, lithium-ion batteries carry a higher voltage than other types of consumer batteries.  Shorts in their electrical circuits have been linked to explosions. E-cigarettes, e-scooters, hoverboards, and electric or hybrid vehicles have all been known to catch fire or explode. Vape pens and e-cigs have been linked to severe burns to the thighs, genitals, hands, and face, and can cause catastrophic damage to the jaw, teeth, and tongue.

What is electrocution?

Many people use electrical shock and electrocution interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. Electrocution occurs when a person dies as a result of their electrical injuries. Therefore, if an individual experiences electrical shock, they are considered to be electrocuted if they do not survive.

How do electrical injuries occur?

Electrical injuries can occur at home and in work settings, including on construction sites. There are usually underlying factors that contribute to their incidence, including:

• Wiring issues
• Incorrectly installed electrical systems
• Defective or faulty products
• Undergrounded wires
• Physical contact with electrical systems when it is raining or when the ground is wet
• Not wearing personal protective equipment
• Improper training
• Touching electrical outlets

Children and adults are both at risk of electrical injuries. A child’s curiosity usually leads to their electrical injuries, but adults are often injured because of negligence.

The long-term dangers and effects of electrical injuries

Every person’s electrical injuries are unique, meaning that the long-term consequences may be different for each person. Some people may experience minor effects from their injuries, while others may pass away from their injuries. It depends on the strength and severity of the electrical current, and how the body reacted to it.

If the electrical current went directly in and out of the body, the person would most likely suffer severe burns. These burns can affect all three layers of the skin, causing third-degree burns. In addition, some of these burns go below the skin, and start to destroy the tissue and bones underneath. This can lead to infections and other complications, which may require extensive medical treatment to ensure that the individual is able to heal, recover, and adapt to their new changes. Many times, skin grafts are part of this painful healing process.

It is important to know that not everyone has visible burns or injuries after coming into contact with an electrical current. However, even if the injuries cannot be seen, this does not mean that the person does not have any. Instead, they may have internal bleeding, internal organ damage, or burned internal tissues. That said, while these injuries may not be visible on the person’s skin, they can still cause excruciating pain. As a result, the patient will most likely need to undergo multiple surgeries and participate in extensive medical treatments for many years to come.

Additionally, there is a high chance that a person will not survive an electrical injury. The National Fire Protection Association stated that 126 workers died from electrical injuries in the United States in 2020. Sometimes, the electrical currents are just too strong for a person to survive, causing them to die immediately or even hours later. This can lead to intense grief and suffering among spouses, children, and other loved ones.

Who is liable for my electrical injury?

Determining who is liable for your electrical injury can be a complicated process. However, this does not mean that it is impossible. The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP have the experience, training, and skills to find out who caused your accident and hold them accountable for their negligent actions. We will investigate what exactly happened and determine the parties who may share responsibility in your electrical accident. Here are a few examples of parties who may be liable:

• Product manufacturers
• Business and company owners
• Contractors
• Electricians and technicians
• Managers and supervisors

If you need to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney about your electrical injuries, McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP is ready to represent you. We help many clients with these injuries navigate the legal process, and we will happily guide you through this difficult process as well. Call our office or complete our contact form for a virtual case evaluation today.

Please know that every legal case is different and based on the individual’s facts and circumstances. Therefore, this blog should not be taken as legal advice. Get in touch with an attorney from our firm to get the proper legal advice based on your circumstances.