SHREVEPORT ELECTROCUTION INJURY LAWYER

Shreveport Personal Injury Lawyers for Electrocution Injury Claims

At the Greenwald Law Firm, our Shreveport attorneys understand the devastating impact that electrocution injuries can have on individuals and their families. These tragic accidents, often resulting from workplace incidents, faulty wiring, or negligence, can lead to severe, long-lasting consequences.

With a deep knowledge of Louisiana law, Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. and his dedicated legal team strive to ensure our clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve to aid their recovery and safeguard their future.

If you or a loved one have suffered electrocution injuries caused by a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. To learn more about your legal options, contact the Shreveport personal injury attorneys at Greenwald Law Firm by calling (318) 219-7867 today to schedule a free consultation.

What is an Electrical Injury?

An electrical injury occurs when an electric current passes through the body. This can happen through various scenarios, such as direct contact with exposed electrical wires, circuits, or appliances. The severity of the electrical injury depends on several factors, including the type and strength of the current, the path it takes through the body, the period of exposure, and the individual’s overall health.

Electrical injuries can range from mild, such as minor burns or a tingling sensation, to severe, potentially resulting in deep tissue damage, cardiac arrest, muscle damage, nerve destruction, and even death. Generally, they can divided into several different categories:

• Electrical Burn Injury: This occurs when the electrical current enters the body, potentially causing significant damage to tissues and organs. Unlike ordinary burns, the damage from electrical burns can be extensive, often affecting not just the skin but also deeper tissues and organs.
• Electrocution: This is an often fatal incident involving electricity. It usually refers to death or severe injury caused by an electric shock.
• Electric Shock: This happens when an electric current passes through the body. Symptoms can range from a mild tingling sensation to serious burn injuries and heart or respiratory failure.
• Secondary Injuries: These occur due to an electric shock, such as falls or other accidents caused by involuntary muscle contractions and the forceful ejection of the person from the electrical source.

Common Causes of Electrocution Accidents

Electrocution accidents can occur under various circumstances and are often the result of a combination of unsafe conditions and practices. Understanding the common causes is essential for prevention and may also play a crucial role in legal contexts, especially when seeking compensation or determining liability. Some of the most common causes include:

• Performing electrical work without safety gear or training
• Changing lightbulbs without turning off the power source
• Using electrical devices near a bathtub, pool, or other water source
• Coming in contact with a downed power line
• Overloading circuits
• Misusing extension cords
• Using faulty or damaged appliances
• Mowing or digging near power sources

Types of Electrocution Injuries

Electrocution accidents result in 1,000 deaths every year in the United States, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. The same study also reports that 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock accidents occur each year. 

Electrocution injuries can occur in many ways, with the severity of the injuries varying based on the voltage of the electrical current, the path taken through the body, the length of exposure, and the person’s health. The most common types of injuries resulting from electrocution are:

• Amputations 
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Cardiac arrest
• Muscle and tissue damage
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Spinal and brain injuries
• Wrongful death

Some injuries caused by electrocution are the result of the person being thrown and falling after receiving the electric shock. Serious injuries like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries can result from this. 

If the injuries were severe enough that they caused the death of a loved one, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim. This type of personal injury claim can help families of the deceased recover financially from the unexpected loss of a loved one. To learn more about wrongful death claims, contact a compassionate Shreveport wrongful death attorney at our law firm today.

Who is Liable for an Electrocution Injury?

Determining liability for an electrocution injury involves examining several aspects of the accident, including the location of the accident, the conditions leading to the electrocution, and the roles of the people involved. Liability can often be attributed to one or more of the following parties:

• Property Owners: Property owners or those in control of a property must ensure that the property is safe for visitors, employees, and, in some cases, even trespassers. If the electrocution occurred due to unsafe property conditions—like exposed wiring, faulty electrical systems, or inadequate warning of electrical hazards—the property owner could be held liable in a premises liability lawsuit.
• Manufacturers and Distributors: If the electrocution was caused by defective electrical appliances or equipment, the manufacturer or distributor of the faulty product might be liable under product liability laws.
• Utility Companies: In some cases, especially when power lines or electrical utilities cause electrocution, the utility company may be liable, particularly if the accident resulted from a lack of maintenance, safety violations, or failure to respond to known hazards.

Establishing liability often requires proving that the responsible party knew or should have known about the danger and did not take appropriate actions. This process involves gathering evidence such as maintenance records, inspection logs, eyewitness testimony, expert analysis, and documentation of the conditions that led to the injury.

Proving Liability in Louisiana Electrocution Cases

Proving liability in Louisiana electrocution cases, like all personal injury cases, hinges on establishing that another party’s negligence or wrongdoing caused the injury. For your Shreveport personal injury attorney to prove negligence, several key elements must be demonstrated:

• Duty of Care: The property owner owed a duty of care to the victim. For instance, property owners must ensure their premises are safe for visitors.
• Breach of Duty: In electrocution cases, this might involve showing that the property owner, employer, contractor, or other responsible party failed to maintain safe electrical installations or provide adequate warnings about potential electrical hazards.
• Causation: Establish a direct link between the breach of duty and the electrocution injury.
• Damages: Demonstrate that the victim suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other forms of harm due to the electrocution.

At the Greenwald Law Firm, you can trust that Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. and his legal team will work diligently to prove negligence in your personal injury or premises liability lawsuit to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Electrocution and Premises Liability

If you suffered an electrocution injury on another’s property, the property owner could be liable for damages. If so, you and your attorney can pursue a premises liability lawsuit against them. There are several elements pertaining to premises liability claims that are important to keep in mind.

While the property owner owes a duty of care to those who visit the premises, that level of care can depend on the type of visitor the injured party is considered.

• Invitees, like customers at a business, are owed the highest duty of care.
• Licensees, like social guests, are also owed a duty of care, though to a slightly lesser extent.
• Trespassers generally are owed the least duty, but owners may still be liable for willful or wanton harm, including dangers like exposed wiring.

Regardless of the type of visitor injured on their property, the owners are responsible for repairing any hazards in a timely manner and posting proper warnings about any possible dangers. If they fail to do so, they can be liable for any resulting injuries. They are also responsible for ensuring that all electrical codes and standards are adhered to. Any violations of those codes can also result in negligence and therefore, a premises liability lawsuit.

Pursuing Compensation for Electrocution Injuries in Louisiana

Those injured on another’s property have the right to recover compensation for the damages incurred by the property owner’s negligent actions. However, a premises liability claim can often be challenging since the property owner will most likely deny any responsibility.

Personal injury cases, especially premises liability claims, can be challenging, but rest assured that your Shreveport premises liability attorney will thoroughly research the incident and provide evidence showing negligence on behalf of the property owner. To do so, your attorney must prove:

• The property was dangerous during your visit and lacked any warnings of those dangers.
• The property owner knew or should have been aware of the dangers.
• That danger caused your injury.

Important evidence that can strengthen your premises liability case includes:

• Incident reports and eyewitness statements.
• Expert testimony on electrical safety and the specifics of how the incident occurred.
• Medical records to document the injuries.
• Maintenance records, safety logs, and other documentation from the property or worksite.
• Photos of the accident scene and the hazardous condition.

How Louisiana’s Comparative Fault Laws May Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

Louisiana is one of the many states that follow comparative fault laws regarding personal injury claims. According to this law, an injured party can still recover damages even if they are partly at fault for their injuries. However, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

If the injured party is found to be partially responsible for the accident that led to their injuries, their awarded damages will be lowered accordingly. For example, if a plaintiff is deemed 30% at fault for an accident, they would receive only 70% of the total damages awarded. If the injured party is more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover any damages from their claim.

Comparative fault laws highlight the importance of strong legal representation to minimize the fault percentage attributed to the injured party and maximize potential compensation. In these situations, it’s even more critical that your Shreveport premises liability attorney gather comprehensive evidence to support your claim and counter any arguments by opposing parties.

Potential Damages and Compensation in Electrocution Injury Claims

Successful premises liability lawsuits often result in the injured party receiving financial compensation for damages. Those damages can include compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, both past and future
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Permanent scarring and disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium

Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Electrocution Case in Louisiana

When pursuing legal action against a property owner for your electrocution injuries, it’s critical to find an experienced premises liability attorney to represent you. At the Greenwald Law Firm, attorney Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. has handled many common premises liability claims for clients throughout the Shreveport area.

Premises liability cases are often challenging and require extensive knowledge of the Louisiana legal system and relevant laws. At the Greenwald Law Firm, our attorneys have experience handling many premises liability claims, including dog bites, slip and fall accidents, swimming pool accidents, and of course, electrocution accidents.

Electrocution Injuries? Call Shreveport Premises Liability Attorney Joey Greenwald at The Greenwald Law Firm Today

At the Greenwald Law Firm, we understand the profound impact electrocution injuries can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Navigating the legal landscape in Louisiana, particularly with its comparative fault laws, can be challenging and overwhelming.

Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. and his experienced legal team are dedicated to providing compassionate, knowledgeable, and vigorous representation, ensuring your rights are protected and your voice is heard. We are committed to fighting for fair compensation, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being.

If you or a loved one has suffered an electrocution injury, trust the Greenwald Law Firm to stand as your advocate every step of the way. To schedule a free consultation with a Shreveport premises liability attorney, call (318) 219-7867 or fill out our online intake form today.