Electrical Wire Injuries in Auburn

Electrical injuries happen when a person comes into contact with an energy source fueled by electricity. They can occur naturally, such as when a person is hit by lightning. However, they are far more likely to result from coming into contact with an artificial source, such as an electrical wire.

Construction workers, line workers, landscapers, and similar laborers are at much higher risk of these injuries than others. When an accident happens in a workplace setting, it can impact the type of compensation a person receives for their injuries. Call a seasoned utility accident attorney for help pursuing legal action after an incident that left you with electrical wire injuries in Auburn.

Understanding Electrical Wire Injuries

There are two broad types of injuries from contact with electricity: burns and shocks. Each source can cause moderate to severe harm, depending on the circumstances.

Burn Injuries

Burns result from the heat generated by electricity. They can be localized or extensive and range in severity from first-degree to fourth-degree burns. Usually, the greater the current, the higher the risk of severe injury.

While electrical burns have a different cause than thermal burns, their treatment and prognosis are often the same. Recovery can be painful and time-consuming, requiring the removal of damaged tissue, reconstructive surgery, and skin grafts.

Depending on the extent of the burn, the prognosis for a full recovery may be low, and some individuals may deal with disfigurement and scarring for the rest of their lives.

Shock Injuries

Shock injuries result from electrical currents disrupting the nervous system. Currents can disturb the body's functions anywhere and lead to complications such as:

• Muscle spasms
• Organ failure
• Paralysis
• Heart attacks
• Brain damage

Depending on the severity and duration of the shock injury, the damage could be permanent or even fatal. A Lewiston-Auburn attorney can help their client determine fault for an electric wire injury and pursue damages.

Liability for Electrical Wire Injuries

Determining who is financially responsible for electrical wire injuries from an incident in Lewiston-Auburn can be complex. An employer is most likely at fault if someone sustains harm on a job site during their employment.

Maine is a mandatory worker's compensation state, which requires employers to carry worker's compensation coverage. Almost any employer whose job involves contact with electrical wires is subject to this provision. An employer who fails to carry this insurance can be liable in tort to their employees and may be guilty of a crime.

The Benefits of Work Injury Claims

The upside to worker's compensation claims is that the employee does not have to prove negligence to collect. They only have to show that the injury was received while on the job and related to their work. There are exceptions where employers can challenge coverage, but proving a worker's comp claim is generally easier than filing a lawsuit against another person.

Limits on Worker's Comp

The downside of worker's compensation is that it limits coverage. It should cover an injured person's medical bills and provide some compensation for time away from work. However, it only covers two-thirds of a worker's salary, which is often insufficient to cover their needs before the accident, much less those that result from the incident.

Third-Party Liability

Third-party liability may exist, even in workplace accidents. Faulty equipment, improperly installed lines, and negligence by another contractor or their employees can all lead to potential third parties in a case. When these claims are available, employees can file them with worker's compensation.

Talk to an Attorney About Electrical Wire Injuries in Auburn Today

Electrical wire injuries can lead to extensive time away from work as people recover. Burns, in particular, can have extended recovery periods during which an individual cannot return to physical labor and may have additional restrictions.

Getting compensation for your injuries, whether through a lawsuit or worker's comp, can ensure you have the financial protection you need to pay for recovery. Contact a compassionate personal injury attorney with Gideon Asen, LLC, for help with claims for electrical wire injuries in Auburn.