Electric Shock Injury Claims
If you’ve suffered an electric shock in the course of your work, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Your employer or other workers may have been negligent or they may have failed to keep equipment safe and well-maintained. If so, it’s very likely this could have caused or contributed to your injuries.
Like any workplace injury, this could affect your quality of life and livelihood and may even have long-term implications. If you’ve suffered such an injury, contact us and we’ll discuss your specific circumstances with you to see whether or not you have a valid claim.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to clients who have been involved in workplace accidents. They operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful.
Can my employer punish me in any way for making a compensation claim?
This is a big worry for many people injured in an accident at work. Thankfully, the law gives you a lot of protection. Under your employment contract, your employer has no legal right to discriminate against you on the basis that you have taken legal action against them.
If they did try to dismiss you, discipline you or make any unreasonable changes to your working conditions after the accident (such as reducing your hours, demoting you or reducing your salary), they could be putting themselves at risk of a claim for unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal.
Your employers should not be left out of pocket by your compensation claim. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for the vast majority of businesses. This cover would provide the funds for any compensation awarded against you, so your claim wouldn’t put the finances of your employer at any immediate risk.
How can electric shocks occur in the workplace?
Electric shocks are generally more likely in jobs involving powerful machinery, but they can occur in just about any job. Even low-risk office jobs involve working with electrical equipment such as computers and IT equipment.
As with any workplace accident, electric shocks are more likely if equipment isn’t well maintained, training has been inadequate or procedures aren’t followed and regularly reviewed. Failings in these areas all point towards poor management, which in our experience is probably the biggest contributing factor to workplace accidents.
How can an electric shock affect me?
An electric shock can be extremely distressing and dangerous in the short term and also cause longer-term health issues These can include:
- Cardiac arrest, arrhythmia and other heart problems
- Severe burns
- Muscle spasms and damage to the nervous system
- Broken bones
- Breathing difficulties
Electric shocks can of course be fatal. If you have lost a family member or loved one to an electric shock in the workplace, we can help you claim compensation against their employer.
How much compensation might I receive?
The amount of compensation you receive for your injuries very much depends on your specific circumstances. That’s why we recommend that you get in touch with us promptly so that we can discuss the details of your accident with you.
You may be able to claim for the following if they are a direct result of your injuries:
- Compensation for distress and upheaval
- Loss of earnings and financial losses incurred
- Medical costs, prescription fees, care and rehabilitation costs
- Damage to your property
- Travel expenses incurred
Do I have a valid claim for compensation?
If you can answer yes to all three of the following questions, we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances further:
- Was the incident within the last three years?
- Was someone else to blame for the incident?
- Were you injured as a result of the incident?
Answering ‘yes’ to all three doesn’t mean that a successful claim is certain. However, these questions are key to the claims process. Answering yes to all three does indicate that you have a greater chance of being entitled to claims. Getting prompt, specialist legal advice could be beneficial.
Because of the three-year time limit, it’s important that you contact us promptly so that we can start the process for you.
How do I begin a compensation claim for an electric shock?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. The first call typically takes about 15 minutes and in that time we can usually determine whether or not it’s realistic to pursue a claim for compensation.
