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Seattle Electrocution Injury Lawyers
Experienced representation for victims of electrical accidents in Washington state
At Smith McBroom, we represent consumers, workers, and anyone else who suffers an electrical injury. Our Seattle electrocution injury lawyers file claims against construction companies, manufacturers, utilities, and other responsible parties. Call us today to fight for the compensation you deserve. We represent electrical accident victims and the families of loved ones who tragically die due to exposure to electricity.
How can we help?
- Who are the victims of electrocution fatalities and injuries?
- What are the causes of electrical injuries in Seattle?
- How can electrical accidents be prevented?
- What types of injuries do electrical accidents cause?
- How is an electrical injury diagnosed and treated?
- Who is responsible for electrical injuries in Washington?
- Do you have a Seattle electrocution injury lawyer near me?
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Who are the victims of electrocution fatalities and injuries?
According to the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), electrocution is one of the top four causes of construction fatalities. The Electrical Safety Foundation, which is dedicated to the promotion of electrical safety at home and work, reports that:
- Deaths due to electrocution in the workplace account for 6% of all workplace fatalities.
- Non-electrical jobs account for 70% of all workplace electrical deaths.
- The leading causes of electrocution deaths include “working on or near live wires” (48%) and contact with overhead power lines (41%).
The jobs where 10 or more people died to electrical contact in 2022 included electricians, construction workers, non-construction workers, electrical power installers and repairers, tree-trimming jobs, HVAC and refrigeration workers, heavy truck drivers, roofers, painters, telecommunication workers, carpenters, roofers, and other jobs.
What are the causes of electrical injuries in Seattle?
Safety Culture identifies the following leading causes of electrical accidents:
- Poor insulation. Electrical insulation can worsen over time due to moisture exposure, wear and tear, and small rodents. The exposure of the wires can lead to electric shock and short circuits.
- Circuit breakers that don’t work. If a circuit breaker fails “to trip during an overload,” the breaker loses its ability to function properly.
- Electrical appliance failures. These appliances can malfunction if the wires become frayed, the insulation is cracked, or there are loose connections.
- Faulty maintenance. Electrical systems at home and at work should be inspected regularly. Safety protocols (from building code officials, manufacturers, and occupational industry standards) should be followed.
Other causes of electrical accidents include the improper use of extension cords, contact with overhead power lines, defective tools and equipment, explosions, fires, improper grounding of electrical tools, contact with any power line (such as when ladders, trucks, and forklifts come into contact with live or buried wires), wet weather, heavy winds, and many other causes.
How can electrical accidents be prevented?
Safety Culture recommends the following safety recommendations:
- Overhead power line safety. Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and energized electrical lines. Safety barriers and signs should be installed to warn any non-electrical workers who are nearby.
- Tools and equipment safety. Only qualified people should fix electrical tools and equipment. Defective items should be repaired or replaced. Safety procedures (called Lock Out Tag Out procedures) should be used before maintaining or repairing any electrical tools or equipment.
- Circuit overloads and faulty wiring. The wires should be the correct size for the current and electrical load. The proper extension cords should be used. Fire risk assessments should be conducted regularly. Workers and homeowners should use the proper circuit breakers.
- Improper grounding. This is the most common OSHA electrical violation. “Proper grounding can eliminate unwanted voltage and reduce the risk of electrocution. Never remove the metallic ground pin as it is responsible for returning unwanted voltage to the ground.”
Other electrical safety procedures include examining any exposed electrical parts, inspecting any damaged insulation, and understanding the dangers and inspection procedures when a work area is wet.
What types of injuries do electrical accidents cause?
At Smith McBroom, we represent catastrophic injury victims who have sustained:
- Third-degree and fourth-degree burn injuries
- Brain damage
- Organ damage
- Traumatic amputations/loss of limb
- Secondary damage usually due to falling which can cause heart failure, spinal cord damage, fractures, and other injuries
- Heart damage, such as ventricular fibrillation
- Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
The severity of the damage depends on many factors such as the voltage, amperage, path of the electrical current, type of current (AC or DC), length of exposure, and other factors.
How is an electrical injury diagnosed and treated?
According to Merck Manuals, the symptoms of electrical injuries include skin burns, internal burns, muscle damage, compressed arteries, myoglobin being released into the blood stream, abnormal heart rhythms, severe shock, numbness, paralysis, and many others.
An emergency medical professional may need to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The victim should be examined at a local Seattle emergency room or burn center.
Electrical injuries are diagnosed through a physician’s physical examination, electrocardiograms (EEGs), blood and urine tests, and CT MRI scans of the brain.
The treatments begin with separating the person (safely) from the source of the current. The first step is normally to turn off the current. There are specific protocols for turning off the current safely. Local power companies need to turn off high-voltage lines. The treatments depend on the type of electrical injury, the location of the injury, the severity of the injury, and many other factors.
Who is responsible for electrical injuries in Washington?
The defendants may include:
- Construction companies
- Contractors
- Manufacturers of defective electrical products
- Homeowners
- Property owners
- Utilities
- Others depending on how the electrocution happened
At Smith McBroom, we file personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death claims on behalf of electrical injury victims and families. We demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages.
We work with electricians, fire officials, building code officials, investigators, and others to show how electrical injuries happen, why they are preventable, and who is responsible.
Do you have a Seattle electrocution injury lawyer near me?
At Smith McBroom, we meet the victims of electrical accidents and the families of loved ones who are electrocuted at our Seattle office at 16400 Southcenter Parkway Suite 210. We also conduct consultations by phone and online video. If you cannot physically come to our office due to your injuries, we will meet you at your home or a healthcare facility. We’ll answer your questions, explain how the claims process works, and fight to obtain full compensation for your injuries or the death of your relative.
Talk with our Seattle electrocution accident lawyers now
We understand how devastating electrical accidents are. Most electrical accidents cause life-changing injuries – if the victim survives. At Smith McBroom, we’re skilled at showing how the electrical current surged through the victim, and why the accident was preventable. We work with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries. To schedule a free consultation with our Seattle electrical accident lawyers, call us or complete our contact form. We’re ready to help you now.