Electrocution Injury Lawyer in Riverside, CA
Electricity plays an integral role in our everyday lives, from home to school to work and beyond. However, it is a double-edged sword that is also capable of causing severe injuries if not handled properly. When individuals are negligent and fail to take the appropriate safety precautions, you or your family member could be harmed as a result. In these situations, an electrocution injury lawyer in Riverside, CA can help you take legal action to hold them accountable and recover compensation for your losses.
The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas understands your desire to seek justice after the harm you have suffered at another person’s hands. We take the time to listen to you and determine the most effective approach for your situation. A Riverside personal injury lawyer will answer your questions, guide you through the legal process, and secure the results you seek.
Factors That Commonly Contribute to Electrical Injuries
Electrical injuries can happen anywhere and affect individuals of any age. These injuries cause serious disruptions in the body and are often caused when there are electrical errors or safety issues. When individuals are negligent around electrical sources, they can cause injury to themselves or others. As such, many electrical injury accidents are preventable. Below are some of the most common causes of electrical injuries.
Direct Contact
Direct contact with electricity is a common cause of electrical injuries. This means that a person has touched an electrified object, and the current passes through the skin and into the body. Upon contact, it will follow a path until it leaves the body, leaving serious or fatal injuries in its wake. These types of electrical injuries can happen anywhere and with a variety of electrical sources or faults. It is important to be cautious anytime you are dealing with electricity and wear protective gear to avoid direct contact.
Faulting Grounding
Grounding is essential for directing the flow of extra, built-up energy to safely dissipate into the ground. When electrical systems are not properly grounded, this electricity can accumulate and use more dangerous paths in its effort to reach the earth. This means that a person can become a pathway in an ungrounded electrical system, which can cause serious injury. Ground faults can also elevate the risk of fires and damage to wires, electronics, and appliances.
Exposed Wiring
Exposed wires are a serious hazard that can lead to electrical shock or electrocution. Wires not covered by protective insulation can cause electricity to pass through the body when direct contact is made. When exposed to elements, such as water, electricity can be conducted and indirectly injure others. Exposed wires can occur both at home and on the jobsite, so it is important to maintain a constant awareness and vigilance when around wires and actively take steps to ensure safety in these situations.
Overloaded Circuitry
Every electrical outlet is set up to conduct a certain amount of energy. When the number of items or the level of voltage needed is more than an outlet can handle, it becomes an overloaded circuit. This poses several dangers, including risk of fire, damage to electronics, and tripped breakers and fuses. When a circuit is overloaded, it can overheat wires and destabilize the flow of electricity, which may also lead to surges. It is important to be mindful of how outlets are being used and take steps to reduce overload.
Poor Training or Safety Practices
On the jobsite, poor training can lead to electrical accidents. Workers who do not understand how to properly handle electricity can put themselves and others at risk. They can contribute to an unsafe work environment if they do not observe or enforce safe electrical practices and safety protocols. Workers who are not equipped to work with electricity should receive additional training and avoid electrical work until their skills improve.
Common Conditions Caused by Electrical Injuries
Electricity can cause a variety of injuries and complications throughout the body, ranging from minor to fatal. An estimated 1,000 individuals die annually from electrical injuries, while 30,000 victims suffer from nonfatal injuries. These injuries can be caused by both low and high voltages. This, along with the location and severity of the injury, can influence an individual’s overall prognosis and treatment after suffering harm. Below is a closer look at some of the common conditions sustained from these injuries.
Brain, Spine, and Nerve Injuries
The brain, spinal cord, and nervous system are responsible for relaying messages throughout the body and controlling various functions. Electrical currents can disrupt these signals and processes, leading to other injuries and conditions throughout the body. Additionally, the brain and spine can be impacted if the shock results in a forceful blow against another object. This can affect cognitive functions and mobility, as well as cause other issues.
Cardiovascular Injuries
The cardiovascular system operates on a very specific electrical frequency, and an electrical injury can severely interfere with the heart’s ability to function. It can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and its ability to perform normally. Serious injuries or fatalities can occur depending on the damage caused by the shock and the amount of voltage. Victims who have a stent or defibrillator, which could malfunction, may experience even more serious complications.
Respiratory Injuries
Electrical shocks can impact the body’s respiratory system when they damage the tissues and muscles involved in breathing. This can lead to respiratory complications or full respiratory arrest. These injuries may not be immediately recognized without the use of medical testing and should be closely monitored during recovery to make sure there are no residual complications from the initial injury.
Burn Injuries
Electricity conducts a considerable amount of heat as it comes in contact with or passes through the body. This results in burn injuries, which may include electrical burns, arc burns, and thermal burns. Higher voltages are more likely to cause severe harm that results in more extensive burn injuries. Individuals who have sustained burns from an electrical source face an increased risk of infection due to the open nature of the wound.
Physical and Catastrophic Injuries
An electrical current can damage the body’s sensitive tissues, as well as limbs and organs. The affected area may dictate what physical impairments or catastrophic injuries may develop. For example, damage around the spine may result in paralysis, while extensive tissue damage may result in a loss of limb. These injuries can also affect a victim’s range of motion and ability to carry out certain functions. Rehabilitation may be required to recover from these injuries, regain skills, or learn to compensate.
Who Choose Our Lawyers to Handle Your Electrocution Case
The Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas is here to represent Riverside electrocution victims in their time of need. Our attorneys work diligently to hold the at-fault party liable and negotiate a fair settlement that covers your expenses and other losses. We handle the logistics of your case so you can focus on healing. Electrical injuries can disrupt your life in many ways, and we are here to help you reclaim as much of it as possible.
We Understand How the Nature of Electrocution Injuries
It is also important to be aware that there is a distinction between electrocution and electric shock. Electrocution results in death, and family members can file a wrongful death claim when it was caused by another party’s negligent actions. However, an electric shock causes injury to the body, and the victim can hold the at-fault party accountable. Our team is equipped to help you regardless of your situation and customize our approach to your unique needs.
We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
When the cost of medical expenses and lost income begin to add up, the last thing you want to do is add legal expenses to the mix. However, our team does not get paid unless we win and collect our fees from your awarded compensation. We work on contingency, so you do not have to stress about how you are going to pay for a lawyer. Contingency fees allow you access to the legal services you need risk-free when it is most dire. You can also trust that your lawyer will be aligned with your goals.
You Can Hold At-Fault Parties Liable for Your Electrocution Injuries
While electrical injuries can happen by accident, there are many that are caused by another person being negligent. When this is the case, they can be held accountable for their actions. As such, you may be able to file a claim against the person who hurt you or your family member.
When pursuing a legal claim, you will need to thoroughly show the other party’s obligations, actions, and outcomes. Electrocution injury attorneys in Riverside, CA can do that by showing the following:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault party was obligated to use caution and safe practices when handling electricity.
- Breach of Duty: The at-fault party failed to take the necessary safety precautions when using electricity.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions caused an accident that resulted in your harm.
- Damages: The at-fault party can be held liable for the unexpected injuries and losses you suffered and must compensate you accordingly.
You will need to provide considerable evidence of what transpired and what you have suffered so you can satisfactorily fulfill each requirement. This will likely include reports of the accident, medical results and expenses, the value of lost income, and written evidence chronicling your suffering. Your lawyer will review what you collect and help you gather additional evidence you may not have access to, so they can build a strong case that gets results.
Damages You Can Recover in an Electrocution Injury Case
Electrocution injuries impact your life in many ways, not the least of which is financially. As medical expenses multiply by the day, and the lack of income accrues, it can exacerbate the situation. These expenses cause considerable stress and pressure on your family after an electrocution injury, and compensation provides the solution to your growing financial burden. An electrocution injury attorney in Riverside, CA can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages for your losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the primary focus in your case, as they represent your monetary losses. This includes current and ongoing medical expenses, rehabilitative and supportive services and equipment, and lost wages or earning capacity. Funeral and burial expenses are also covered if a fatality occurs. These losses are calculated by adding up the value of each loss to determine how much your case is worth.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide financial resources to ease your physical and emotional pain and suffering. This can include a reduction in quality of life and enjoyment, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of companionship and consortium, and PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Since these losses are more subjective, they are often calculated using a formula. Journals, statements from friends and families, and mental health professionals can provide evidence of your suffering to use in your case.
How Long Do I Have to File an Electrocution Injury Claim?
To receive compensation for an electrocution injury claim, you must act before the two-year statute of limitations expires. Once the two-year deadline passes, you could be prohibited from recovery and have to cover your expenses out of your own pocket.
You should also factor in the time it takes to resolve your case and talk with one of our lawyers right away. We can explain how much time you have to work with, and what your options are as a result.
Contact Our Electrocution Injury Attorneys in Riverside, CA
When you wrongfully suffer an electrocution injury, The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is here to provide valuable support and counsel. We come alongside you so you have the advocacy you need during this difficult time. Our team works diligently to secure justice and compensation on your behalf. Take the first step today. For a free consultation with experienced Riverside electrocution injury lawyers near you, contact our law firm today.