Electrical contact at work can cause catastrophic injuries in seconds. A damaged power line or a defective piece of equipment can leave a worker with severe burns, nerve damage, or permanent disability. When the incident could have been prevented, determining who controlled the electrical hazard is often central to your legal options.
If you were shocked or burned while working, a Spring, TX workplace electrocution lawyer could examine whether your employer or another company at the site failed to protect you. A local work injury attorney from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could also determine which state liability rules apply and pursue the responsible parties.
Liability for Worksite Electrical Accidents
Electrical injury cases often depend on who created the danger and who had authority to correct it. A contractor may fail to de-energize a circuit before work begins. A property owner may leave known exposed wiring unrepaired. An equipment manufacturer may be responsible when a defective component causes unexpected electrical contact. A Spring attorney could investigate which company controlled the electrical hazard and keep the focus on the party truly at fault.
The inquiry may also focus on whether lockout procedures were followed and whether workers received appropriate protective equipment. When several businesses share a site, each may owe different duties, and establishing who controlled the equipment can prevent one company from shifting responsibility to another.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a serious workplace event. The equipment may be altered soon after the incident, and witnesses often move on to other projects. Preserving photographs and maintenance records can help establish what happened and whether reasonable precautions were ignored.
Can You Sue Your Employer After a Workplace Electrocution?
A key factor is whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. Most private employers in Texas can choose not to provide that coverage, and employers that opt out are known as non-subscribers. A Spring attorney could review your employer’s coverage status and explain how it shapes your worksite electrocution claim.
Under Texas Labor Code § 406.033, a non-subscriber sued for a work-related injury cannot rely on certain common defenses, and the statute requires proof that employer negligence caused the injury. This rule makes the employer’s safety practices and its response to known electrical hazards especially important.
Even when an employer has workers’ compensation coverage, a separate personal injury claim may exist against a negligent third party. Our lawyers could review the relationships among the companies at the site to identify every potential source of liability.
Compensation After an Electrical Injury
A severe electrical injury can affect much more than the initial hospital stay. Some workers need surgery and long-term rehabilitation, while others cannot return to the same occupation because of chronic pain or cardiac problems. A Spring attorney could document how the electrical injury reduces your future earning capacity. Depending on the claim, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
An electrical current can also cause harm that is not immediately obvious. Follow-up care may reveal nerve damage or heart complications weeks later, and documenting those conditions matters when calculating future losses.
When an electrical accident is fatal, eligible family members may have wrongful death claims arising from the same negligent conduct. State law recognizes claims for injuries that result in death, subject to applicable filing deadlines.
Discuss a Workplace Electrocution Claim With Our Spring Legal Team
Electrical injury cases become complicated when several companies are involved, and the technical evidence is disputed. You should not have to decide on your own whether an employer’s coverage status changes your right to seek compensation.
Contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris to discuss your situation with a Spring workplace electrocution lawyer. We could evaluate what happened and explain the options available to help you move forward with clarity.
