Electrocution Accidents in New York City
The threat of electrical accidents also exists outside the workplace, putting virtually everyone dealing with electricity at risk. When people suffer a serious electric shock or lose a loved one due to electrocution, it typically means staggering medical expenses, the possibility of debilitating, long-term physical limitations, and financial strain.
If you are dealing with any of this because someone was negligent and caused an electrical accident, it is time to discuss your rights and options with an experienced New York electrical accident lawyer.
NYC Electric Shock Accidents
According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), in 2017, 2,210 workers sustained electric shock injuries, which is an increase of 35% from the previous year. There are various factors behind electrical accidents, but many are preventable and only happen because of carelessness.
Electricians, electrical contractors, and related professionals are at extreme risk because of the hazards that are inherent in their jobs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that electrical accidents in the workplace rank fourth as a cause of work-related fatalities.
Workers suffer severe injuries due to:
- Incomplete or poor workplace safety training
- Deteriorating wires
- Defective or unsafe tools or equipment
- Damaged power lines
Of course, individuals outside the construction industry are also at risk of electrical accidents. The NIH report indicates that around 30,000 victims suffer electrical injuries every year. Approximately 20% of electrical accidents affect minors, particularly toddlers and adolescents.
Residential electrical hazards include:
- Defects in large appliances, such as refrigerators, ranges, A/C units, washers, and dryers
- Improper or out-of-date wiring that violates building codes, particularly knob-and-tube or dangerous extension cord use
- Failure to install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) wiring in kitchens, bathrooms, and near water sources
- Defective consumer products, including small appliances, audio/visual equipment, computers, accessories, and other electronic equipment
Many of these same electrical hazards may also be present on non-residential property, such as restaurants, shops, office buildings, theme parks, tourist attractions, and other public spaces.
How Electrical Accidents Affect Your Body
When a person is exposed to an electrical current, it passes through them. The extent of the damage depends on the voltage, the duration, and the current’s path through the body.
Bodily damage caused by electric shock includes:
Tissue Damage & Burns
As the electrical current enters and exits a body, it can burn a person’s bodily external tissue, as well as internal burns as it moves through your internal organs.
Cardiovascular System
Disruption to your heart is frequent in electrical accidents. It is known as asystole or ventricular fibrillation, and if not treated timely, it can lead to fatal electrocution.
Central Nervous System
Damage to the brain and nervous system is also possible after a significant electric shock. This can lead to impaired brain functions and respiratory failure, leading to traumatic brain injuries.
Musculoskeletal System
The muscles and organs also suffer considerable damage due to electric shock, either from the current itself or the subsequent fall or being thrown by the shock’s force.
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