Texas law, unlike most states, does not require all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you suffer electrocution injuries at work for an employer that does not provide workers’ comp, in many cases, you will have the right to file a claim against your employer directly. Those claims, however, can prove complex due to the severity of your injuries. A Houston workplace electrocution lawyer can help you learn about your rights and file a claim.
How Electrocution Occurs at Work
As part of a workplace electrocution claim, the plaintiff’s Houston lawyer will need to show how the injury occurred. Common causes include:
- Exposed electrical wiring
- Failure to warn employees about dangerous areas
- Failure to adequately train employees
- Lack of proper safety gear/damaged safety gear
- Exposure to wet conditions while working near electricity
- Faulty wiring or equipment
Personal injury lawyers can help workers lay out the cause of their accident, including how the employer’s negligence contributed to the incident.
The Damages Caused by Electrocution
Electrocution often causes severe injuries. At the initial site where electricity entered the body, many individuals will see severe, obvious burns. Those burns, however, can continue throughout the body, and furthermore, that electrical jolt can lead to:
- Damage to the nervous system
- Heart damage
- Brain damage
- Breathing issues
- Kidney or other organ damage
In many cases, electrocution will mean a long road to recovery or even permanent disability. Many patients will end up suffering from severe limitations on their movements, making it difficult for them to work or enjoy their normal leisure activities.
Claiming Compensation for Electrocution Injuries
For workers who need to file a claim for the damages caused by electrocution injuries, working with a Houston workplace electrocution lawyer can prove essential. A lawyer can review medical records and consult with expert witnesses to get a better idea of what damages the victim likely suffered, including:
- The medical cost of treatment for electrocution and related injuries, including a stay in a burn unit, long-term rehabilitation, and any ongoing care needs
- The anticipated future cost of medical care for individuals who suffered permanent or lasting disability because of an electrocution injury at work
- Wages lost because the worker could not return to work following electrocution
- Lost future earnings because of inability to find further employment
- Pain and suffering
Including all those elements can help workers ensure that they have the financial assistance they need following workplace electrocution.
Texas Non-Subscriber Laws
Non-subscribers, in Texas, are employers who choose not to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Injured employees, under those laws, have the right to sue their employer for damages caused by an accident at work, including electrocution injuries. Under these laws, employers can be held liable for 100% of the damages sustained by the injured worker, even if the employer did not contribute 100% fault to the injuries.
Contact a Houston Workplace Electrocution Attorney for Legal Insight and Representation
Dealing with an electrocution injury that occurred at work, and the burns that it causes, can prove daunting enough on its own. When you have to file a claim against your employer to recover reasonable compensation for those damages, you need a Houston workplace electrocution lawyer to help you navigate that process and maximize the compensation you can recover. Contact Schechter, Shaffer, & Harris today to discuss your right to compensation following this devastating incident. We offer free consultations.
