Georgia workers who experience an electrical injury on the job may have the right to receive worker’s compensation benefits. In the state of Georgia, most public and private employers are required to carry mandatory worker’s compensation insurance. This insurance offers employees coverage for all injuries arising out of the course and scope of their employment. The injury must require time off work and must be reported to the employer.
Worker’s compensation insurance will cover medical bills and a portion of wages lost by the injured employee. Employees are further protected from retaliation for filing a worker’s compensation claim. At times, injured employees may additionally have the right to seek compensation outside of the worker’s compensation system if a third party is responsible for their injuries.
Who is Most at Risk for Electrical Injuries?
Employees in the following fields are at the highest risk of being electrocuted or otherwise injured by electricity:
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Utility workers
- Manufacturing employees
Overhead power lines are a primary cause of fatal electrocutions, so any job that requires the employee come in close contact or work near overhead power lines is at an extreme risk of electrocution.
Electrical Burns, Shock, and Electrocution
Electric shock can occur due to a lack of safety gear on machines, ungrounded power supplies, wear and tear in machines or wiring, and contact with overhead or underground electrical cords.
The most common electric shock injuries include:
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Tissue or muscle damage
- Respiratory and cardiac arrest
- Brain injuries
- Heart attack
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Neurological damage
- Wrongful death due to electrocution
Burn injuries can be caused by electrical explosions, chemical exposure, electrical accidents, workplace accidents, and defective products. Electrical burns can be severe and often cause:
- Infection
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Inhalation injuries
- Loss of sight, smell, taste, or hearing
- Nerve and tissue damage
Electric Shock Injuries and Worker’s Compensation
Employees who are injured due to electric shock will often incur significant medical bills and require long periods of time off work, as well as ongoing pain and suffering. Regardless of fault for the accident, Georgia employees injured in electrical accidents will generally be eligible for worker’s compensation and may, if applicable, seek compensation from a third party involved in the accident.
Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident that occurred at work, contact Montlick & Associates today for your free consultation with our experienced workers compensation lawyers in Atlanta. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED® (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
http://www.ecmag.com/section/safety/alarming-statistics
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
