Working with electricity is one of the most dangerous tasks a worker can perform. Accidental electrical shocks can cause severe injuries and, in some cases, even death. Whether you have been injured as a result of a workplace electrocution or an electrocution caused by a condition created by a third party’s negligence, the Raleigh electrocution injury attorneys of Maginnis Howard can help ensure you recover the total compensation to which you are entitled.
Causes
Any number of conditions may cause electrocution. Some of the most common include defective equipment, improper wiring, and contact with an uninsulated power line. If you were electrocuted in the course and scope of your employment, you have the right to proceed with a Worker’s Compensation claim before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. However, the compensation available through the Worker’s Compensation system is limited. For instance, you cannot recover damages for physical and mental pain and suffering. Worker’s compensation also caps lost wages at 2/3 of your average weekly wage. It is at this point that consulting electrocution attorneys could prove crucial.
Worker’s Compensation
Because of the limited damages available through the Worker’s Compensation system, it is essential always to investigate whether you may have a third-party negligence claim. These are civil claims against companies or persons other than your employer whose negligence caused your electrocution. While you can rarely sue your employer directly, there is no prohibition on pursuing other contractors or persons whose careless conduct caused your injuries. Maginnis Law can assist you with pursuing these third-party claims. Our firm has handled multiple third-party negligence claims arising from workplace injuries and can assist you in locating and hiring competent experts to prove your claim. Successfully pursuing a third-party claim can be the difference between only a partial financial recovery and a full financial recovery that helps put you back on your feet. Make sure to engage electrocution attorneys for such complex cases.
Other Damages
In any North Carolina third-party claim for electrocution injuries, you are entitled to a wide array of damages. Included among those damages are compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages (not just 2/3)
- Past and future physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Past and future scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of use of a body part
Additionally, if the third party’s negligence was so reckless that it can be found to be “willful and wanton,” you may be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are designed solely to punish the third party for their irresponsible conduct and encourage them to follow proper safety protocols in the future. Electrocution attorneys can help in navigating these specific claims.
Contact an Electrocution Attorney
If you have been injured in an accidental electrocution, the North Carolina electrocution injury attorneys of Maginnis Howard will provide a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Additionally, we offer contingency fee arrangements. That means if you hire us, you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we make a financial recovery on your behalf. Contact us today to speak with our dedicated legal staff. We have three conveniently located offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Fayetteville.
