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Electrocution Accidents in New York City
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Have you suffered an electrical injury in New York City, NY? Sadly, electrical injuries and deaths are all too common, particularly in certain high-risk industries like construction. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering due to the accident.
The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers have represented injured workers and their families in all five boroughs for over 25 years. Contact our law firm at (212) 564-2800 for a free consultation with a New York City electrocution lawyer to discuss how we can help you.
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After a serious electrical injury, you may face an uncertain financial future, an inability to work, and permanent pain or impairment. The last thing you deserve is a battle with an uncaring insurance company for the money you need. An experienced New York City construction accident attorney can help you pursue full compensation for your injuries.
The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers has represented injured workers and their families in New York City, New York, for decades. Our New York City personal injury attorneys are committed to giving you the representation you deserve and leveling the playing field with the insurance company. Our founding attorney, Jay S. Knispel, has been recognized with the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and a spot on the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
When you choose the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers to represent you, we will:
You don’t have to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone. You may even be entitled to additional compensation through other legal avenues like a personal injury claim. Contact the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyer today to speak with a New York City electrocution accident lawyer ready to help.
Electrical injuries, including electrocution, are very common in the construction industry. In fact, electrocution is one of the “fatal four” responsible for most construction deaths.
According to the statistics, in 2019 there were 166 electrocution deaths on the job in the U.S. About 3% of workplace deaths were attributed to contact with an electrical current. Around 43% of all electrical fatalities were in the construction and extraction industries, followed by the fields of installation, repair, and maintenance (22%) and building and grounds maintenance (17%).
Between 2012 and 2016, 739 workers died from electrical exposure — an average of three deaths per week. More than half of these deaths were the result of direct exposure to electricity, such as touching a live wire.
There were also 1,900 non-fatal electrical injuries on the job in 2019. Most of these non-fatal injuries were in the repair, maintenance, and installation occupations (35%), followed by construction (27%).
While construction workers are only 5% of the workforce in New York City, they account for 27% of its workplace deaths. Between 2007 and 2014, 144 NYC construction workers were killed on the job. Electrocution was the third-leading cause of death for these workers. Sadly, electrical equipment was one of the top 10 most common OSHA violations after fatality investigations.
Electrocution and electrical injuries are a serious risk in any job that involves electricity or working near a live wire or power line.
Electrical injuries can be divided into four main types:
Arc flashes or blasts are a sudden release of electrical energy in the air. This happens when there is a high-voltage gap and a break between conductors. Arc flashes give off heat in the form of thermal radiation and intense light, which can cause burns. A high-voltage arc can even create a blast by rapidly heating the air to up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Any job that exposes workers to electrical hazards can result in an electrical shock or electrocution. OSHA defines electrical hazards as burns, electrocution, arc flash, fire, explosions, and shock. Construction accidents account for most electrocution deaths on the job.
The occupations with the highest risk of electrocution include:
OSHA has identified several common causes of electrocution in the construction industry.
Electrocution usually happens due to:
There are many underlying causes of electrical shock or electrocution. An electrical accident can be the result of carelessness, such as failing to exercise caution while working near a power line. It can also be the result of defective or poorly maintained equipment or safety violations on the job site.
Damaged equipment and safety infractions often play a role in electrical injuries. Damaged extension cords, improper grounding, or bad wiring can expose workers to serious risk.
After your accident, an experienced New York City electrocution accident lawyer will investigate your accident and determine who may be held liable.
Electrical shocks aren’t just painful. They can have serious and permanent consequences.
An electrical shock can result in the following:
Electrical shocks can cause external burn injuries, burn injuries to internal tissue, and even organ damage. Serious electrocution injuries can result in compartment syndrome, which happens when limbs swell and cause permanent damage to muscles. A bad shock can also cause neurological problems, nerve damage, chronic pain, permanent impairment, damage to the cardiovascular system, and even death.
After an electrical injury, you may be entitled to benefits for medical expenses, lost earnings, and disability through workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim. Surviving family members of someone killed on the job due to electrocution may also be entitled to compensation through workers’ comp or a wrongful death claim. At the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers, we will help you seek the compensation you deserve and explore all avenues of compensation, including possible third-party claims.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free case review with a New York City electrocution lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing out of pocket for skilled legal representation in your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim.
Our personal injury law firm in NY, NY also provides:
New York City Office
450 7th Ave Suite 1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564 2800
Brooklyn Office
26 Court St., Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600
We are available to take your call 24/7