Have you had an electric shock at work due to faulty equipment or a lack of training? Slater and Gordon is a leading injury compensation specialist, offering a No Win No Fee service to almost all of our personal injury clients.
Electric shocks can be dangerous, even from something as small as a 240v hairdryer. So when they occur from much higher voltage equipment, serious injury or even death can occur. The main causes of electric shocks in the workplace are:
The presence of untested electrical equipment
Unqualified staff being asked to work on electrical equipment
In any of the cases above, if you’ve been injured by an electric shock, your employer has failed in their duty of care to protect you from harm in the workplace, and you may have a case for seeking electric shock compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
What are the regulations for electricity in the workplace?
While there are many regulations for the safe use of electricity and electrical items in the workplace, the two most important concern who is allowed to carry out electrical work, and how often all electrical equipment needs to be tested:
You should only be asked to work on electrical installations and equipment if you are suitably qualified
Every piece of electrical equipment in any workplace - from a kettle to an arc welding unit - must be maintained in good condition. Heavy items on building sites and in factories will need more regular testing than a kettle in a shop kitchen, but they must still be safe. It's therefore good practice for employers to make sure that all electrical equipment is regularly PAT tested for safety.
What sort of injuries do electric shocks cause?
In severe cases, a substantial electric shock can prove instantly fatal, which is why the regulations for the use of electrical items in the workplace are so strict. Even where an electric shock is not fatal, any or all of these serious symptoms and effects may occur:
Burns: both minor and life-threatening
Muscle spasms
Breathing difficulties
Irregular heartbeats
Cardiac arrest
Broken bones due to muscle spasm
Damage to the nervous system
If you or a loved one have suffered an electric shock in the workplace, it's essential that you first seek medical treatment, and then talk to an electric shock solicitor about compensation for your injuries.
Can I claim compensation if I've had an accident at work?
If you’ve been involved in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Watch our video of Karolis who tragically lost his foot following an accident at work in a sawmill.
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Who can claim electric shock at work compensation?
While you might imagine that it's mainly electricians that suffer electric shocks, they are generally too well trained to make a mistake where significant currents are present. In fact, just about any worker can be the victim of an electric shock due to poor maintenance or training, in all of these occupations, and more besides:
Hairdressers
Mechanics
Engineers
Cleaners
Construction workers
Office staff
Care workers
Nurses
Theatre staff
If you've had a shock from faulty or untested electrical equipment or have been hurt while doing a task you were asked to do but were unqualified for, talk to us today about making an electric shock compensation claim.
What can compensation for an electric shock at work claim cover?
As with many other types of personal injury claim, an electric shock claim will consider two types of damages when determining how much compensation to award; general damages and special damages.
General damages describes compensation awarded for the injury itself, and covers your pain and suffering, the severity of your injuries (both physical and psychological), and the probability of a full recovery.
Special damages refers to any financial losses you may have incurred due to your injury. This could include a loss of earnings, any medical expenses (both present and in the future), transportation costs, and the cost of any adaptations you may need to your home or car in the case of severe injury or disability.
What do I do if a colleague suffers an electric shock?
The most important thing is NOT TO TOUCH someone while they are suffering an electric shock. That's because your body will conduct the electricity, and you will also receive a shock, and be unable to help your colleague.
If safe to do so, turn off the source of electricity. If you can’t reach the appliance or it is not safe to disconnect the appliance directly, turn the electricity off at the mains (fusebox). You should phone 999 for an ambulance as soon as possible. Explain what has happened and if it is necessary and safe to do so, they can talk you through performing CPR until the ambulance arrives.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service.
Ashley
Excellent communication, in constant contact with the latest info regarding your case.
David
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon.
Kenny Jackson
Employers have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the health and wellbeing of their employees to the best of their ability. Where this obligation is not met, the consequences can be severely damaging, both physically and psychologically.
Our industry-leading team of accident at work solicitors have earned top ranking from independent legal guides (Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500), as well as esteemed positions within the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
We know that moving forward involves more than just legal advice and compensation, which is why we work closely with medical professionals to determine the impact of your injuries long-term and identify any additional support and rehabilitation you may need.
To discuss your case in more detail and find out how we can help you gain access to the compensation and support you deserve, get in touch today.
We’re no win no fee specialists, meaning there’s no financial risk when making a claim for an accident at work or in a public place.
Talk to the experts
We have teams of legal experts who specialise in representing those who’ve suffered injuries as a result of accidents at work and in public places.
Tailored advice
As specialists in accidents at work and public places, we'll ensure your case is dealt with swiftly, whilst ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.
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We’re a reputable National law firm with expert lawyers in local areas across England, Scotland and Wales.
Speak to one of our personal injury solicitors today
How much compensation could I receive for an electric shock claim?
Every injury claim is different, and the amount of compensation you're likely to receive will be dependent upon the seriousness of the injury, as well as how much it might affect your ability to work in the future, and how much any rehabilitation might cost.
However, we take most electric shock at work cases on a No Win No Fee basis and seek interim payments to help you avoid hardship if you are prevented from working by your injuries.
Is there a time limit for making an electric shock claim?
The general rule is that a claim must be brought within three years of the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions, such as if you're claiming on behalf of someone who has diminishing mental capacity, in the event the accident happened abroad, or in the tragic circumstances where there is a death.
It's therefore important that you speak to a specialist injury solicitor as soon as you are able.
How long will it take to settle my electric shock claim?
It can be difficult to determine how long it will take to settle a claim, as there are several factors that can influence the timeline. For example, one of the first things your solicitor will look to do is prove liability for your accident; that is, prove that your employer was responsible. This can sometimes take some time if your employer argues otherwise, which can mean it takes longer to settle.
Other factors, such as negotiations over the amount of compensation awarded, can also take more time than expected. However, we make every effort to ensure the claims process is as efficient and stress-free as possible for our client, allowing them to focus on recovery while we handle their claim.
Could I lose my job if I make an electric shock claim against my employer?
No. Under UK law, employers are not allowed to dismiss staff who make a personal injury claim against their business.
We know that many people can feel uncomfortable with the idea of making a claim against an employer, and often it is the thought of the added cost to the business (and the implications for their boss) that concerns them. It is important to remember that businesses in the UK are required to have liability insurance, which will cover the cost of any claim you make against your employer.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Excellent communication, in constant contact with the latest info regarding your case. David
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon. Kenny Jackson