Electrical Wire Injuries in Bangor

Anytime a person uses electricity, they run the risk of a mishap that can lead to injuries. While someone could encounter a downed wire in a hazardous situation like a storm, most electrical accidents occur in the workplace.

Employee claims for electrical wire injuries in Bangor typically fall under worker's compensation. If the injury arises during employment and the worker files within 30 days, it should be covered.

However, workers may also have third-party claims against others. Anyone injured by an electrical wire, whether on the job or not, should consult a seasoned utility accident attorney at Gideon Asen, LLC to learn more about potential remedies.

Who is at Risk for Electrical Injuries?

Electricians, construction workers, line workers, and other manual laborers are at the highest risk of electrocution, shock, and burn injuries. Their jobs make them more likely to encounter and deal with electrical wires than other workers and the general public.

While any electrical wire accident has the potential to cause severe injuries, overhead power lines are the most dangerous. They are linked to the highest number of electrocution fatalities, and even those who survive may experience debilitating harm.

Types of Electrical Wire Injuries

Electrical injuries fall into two categories: burns and shocks. Burns are the result of high temperatures coursing through the body. Shocks involve a current disrupting the body's nervous system through electric pulses. Most injured parties experience a combination of both types of injuries, which can lead to the following:

• Burns
• Tissue, nerve, and muscle damage
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Secondary infections
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Heart attack or cardiac arrest
• Brain damage
• Death

Anyone who is electrocuted should seek medical attention immediately. These injuries may not be apparent during the accident, often occurring below the surface. This allows individuals in Bangor to document their electrical wire injury for a later claim and to receive early medical intervention.

Who Is Liable for Electrical Wire Injuries?

The facts of a case will help determine who is responsible for electrical wire injuries that occur in Bangor. For those not injured on the job, liability for injuries from a downed power line usually falls on the utility. However, contributory negligence can impact a person's ability to recover compensation, which is the percentage of fault the injured party holds for their own injuries.

Additionally, worker's compensation should cover an employee's injuries on the job. The state requires most employers to carry worker's comp insurance and has potential criminal punishments for those who fail to comply. Employers without coverage can be liable in personal injury lawsuits for their employee's injuries.

An employee does not have to prove negligence for worker's comp claims. They only need to show that they were doing their job when the injury occurred. However, an employer can counter that the worker was somehow negligent and try to avoid paying the claim. This process can be complex, but unless an employee's behavior was egregiously risky, like coming to work intoxicated, worker's comp should cover the claim.

Consult a Bangor Attorney About Electrical Wire Injuries

Your recovery process for an electrical injury may be painful and lengthy, and a full recovery is not always possible. If negligent parties were involved in your accident, they should be liable for your injuries.

To learn more about your potential remedies and rights, call Gideon Asen, LLC for legal support with electrical wire injuries in Bangor. Our team of compassionate personal injury attorneys could help you build a solid claim.