Electrical burns result from electrocution, arc flash events, and contact with energized equipment. These injuries often cause more internal damage than external appearance suggests as electricity travels through the body along paths of least resistance. Electrical burn victims may have claims against employers, property owners, utilities, and equipment manufacturers depending on how their injuries occurred.
Types of Electrical Burns
Contact burns occur when electricity enters the body through direct contact with energized objects. Current flows through the body to a ground point, causing burns at entry and exit sites. Internal tissues along the current path may be damaged even when skin burns appear minor. External injuries may significantly underestimate the extent of internal electrical damage.
Arc flash burns occur when electrical current jumps through the air, creating intense heat and light. Arc flash events can reach temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hotter than the sun's surface. Workers near electrical equipment during arc flash events suffer severe burns without ever touching energized components.
Flash burns result from the intense light and heat of arc events without direct electrical injury. These thermal burns may be less severe than contact burns but still require significant treatment. Flash burns often accompany other injuries from arc flash incidents.
Common Causes of Electrical Burns
Workplace electrical accidents cause many serious electrical burns. Electricians, utility workers, and maintenance personnel face routine exposure to electrical hazards. Inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, faulty equipment, and insufficient training contribute to workplace electrical injuries.
Consumer product defects cause electrical burns when appliances, tools, or devices malfunction. Wiring failures, insulation breakdown, and design defects can cause electrical injuries during normal use. Product liability claims target manufacturers of defective electrical products.
Power line contact causes severe electrical burns, often fatal. Construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and ladders contacting overhead lines cause injuries to operators and bystanders. Utility companies may face liability for inadequate warnings or clearances.
Faulty building wiring causes electrical burns through shock and fire. Outdated wiring, improper repairs, and code violations create electrical hazards. Property owners and landlords who fail to maintain safe electrical systems bear responsibility for resulting injuries.
Internal Damage from Electrical Injury
Muscle damage along current paths may require surgical debridement or amputation. Electricity damages muscle tissue that may appear viable initially but dies over subsequent days. Compartment syndrome from muscle swelling can worsen injuries. Repeated surgical assessments determine the full extent of internal damage.
Cardiac effects from electrical current can cause arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Even survivors of electrical injury require cardiac monitoring for delayed effects. Heart damage may cause ongoing problems requiring treatment.
Neurological damage from electrical injury may cause immediate and delayed effects. Numbness, weakness, and cognitive problems can result from electrical current passing through nervous tissue. Some neurological effects appear days or weeks after injury.
Workplace Electrical Safety Requirements
OSHA regulations establish electrical safety requirements for workplaces. Lockout/tagout procedures must be followed when working on electrical systems. Personal protective equipment appropriate for electrical hazards must be provided. Arc flash assessments must identify hazards and required precautions.
Training requirements ensure workers understand electrical hazards they face. Only qualified personnel should work on electrical systems. Training must cover specific hazards present in each workplace. Employers who fail to train workers properly bear responsibility for resulting injuries.
Equipment maintenance keeps electrical systems safe. Regular inspection and testing identifies problems before they cause injuries. Deferred maintenance allowing equipment deterioration creates hazards that proper maintenance would prevent.
Proving Electrical Burn Claims
Electrical system investigation determines how injuries occurred. Examining equipment, wiring, and safety systems identifies failures that caused accidents. Expert electrical engineers analyze systems and identify code violations, design defects, and maintenance failures.
Safety compliance records show whether employers followed required procedures. Lockout/tagout logs, training records, and maintenance documentation reveal whether employers met their safety obligations. Missing or inadequate records suggest systemic safety failures.
Medical evidence documents the full extent of electrical injuries. Internal damage may not be immediately apparent, requiring ongoing evaluation. Complete medical documentation supports damage claims for injuries that develop over time.
Damages in Electrical Burn Cases
Medical expenses for electrical burns may be extensive due to internal injuries. Repeated surgeries, cardiac monitoring, and treatment for delayed effects add to initial burn treatment costs. Long-term effects may require ongoing medical care.
Lost earning capacity from electrical injuries may be substantial. Amputations, neurological damage, and cardiac effects can permanently limit work ability. Electrical injuries often affect young workers with decades of expected earnings ahead.
Pain and suffering damages reflect both immediate burns and internal injuries. Muscle damage, nerve damage, and cardiac effects cause ongoing pain and disability. The severity of electrical injuries supports substantial non-economic damages.
Conclusion
Electrical burns cause unique injuries that may be far more serious than external appearance suggests. Workplace accidents, product defects, and property hazards all create liability for electrical injuries. Understanding how electrical injuries differ from other burns and investigating internal damage ensures burn victims pursue full compensation for these serious injuries.