Electrical accidents can cause life-threatening injuries in Los Angeles County and often require complex legal action to secure compensation. Michael D. Waks is an electrical accidents lawyer with experience representing victims of shock, burns, and other electrical hazards. His team investigates claims thoroughly and pursues damages from negligent parties. Call Michael D. Waks at (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation to discuss your case and take steps toward recovery after an electrical accident.

What to Do If You Suffer an Electrical Shock Injury

Electrical shock injuries can happen anywhere—at work, on a construction site, or even in your own home. In Los Angeles County, these accidents often occur because of faulty wiring, unsafe equipment, or a lack of proper maintenance. The consequences can range from minor burns to severe internal injuries or even death. Knowing what steps to take immediately after an electrical injury can protect your health and your legal rights.

Recognizing the Severity of Electrical Shock Injuries

The impact of an electrical shock depends on several factors, including the voltage, duration of contact, and the current’s path through the body. In some cases, the damage might not be visible right away, which makes it important to seek medical attention even if symptoms seem mild.

Common symptoms include burns, muscle pain, numbness, confusion, difficulty breathing, or irregular heartbeat. More severe injuries can lead to cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or internal organ failure. Because these injuries can worsen over time, getting prompt medical treatment is critical.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

After an electrical shock, the first priority is to ensure safety and prevent further harm. If you or someone nearby experiences an electrical injury, do not touch the victim until the power source is turned off. Once the area is safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Even if the injuries appear minor, internal damage could still be present. Doctors can perform diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms, imaging scans, and blood tests to evaluate the extent of the harm. Early medical documentation will also help support any potential legal claim later on.

Report the Incident Right Away

If the electrical shock occurred at work, report the incident to your supervisor immediately. In California, workplace injuries must be reported within 30 days to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Failing to report the injury on time can make it difficult to file a successful claim.

If the injury happened on another person’s property—such as a store, rental home, or construction site—you should notify the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Request that an incident report be created and keep a copy for your records.

Document the Details of the Accident

Evidence is critical in proving the cause of an electrical shock injury. As soon as you are able, write down everything you remember about how the incident occurred. Include details such as:

The location and time of the accident
The specific equipment or electrical source involved
Any visible hazards, like exposed wires or wet surfaces
Names and contact information of witnesses
Photographs or videos of the area where the incident occurred

If your clothing or personal belongings were damaged, do not throw them away. They may serve as physical evidence in your case.

Identify Who May Be Responsible

Determining liability in an electrical shock case depends on where and how the injury occurred. Multiple parties could be held responsible depending on the situation.

Employers and contractors: If the injury happened at a job site, your employer is typically required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if another contractor or subcontractor’s negligence caused the hazard, you may also have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Property owners: Property owners in Los Angeles County are legally obligated to maintain safe premises. If the injury resulted from poor wiring, defective outlets, or a lack of maintenance, the owner may be held liable under premises liability laws.
Product manufacturers: If an electrical appliance or power tool malfunctioned and caused an injury, the manufacturer or distributor could be responsible under product liability laws. Defective wiring, design flaws, or lack of proper warnings can all lead to valid claims.
Utility companies: In rare cases, utility providers may be liable if unsafe power lines, transformers, or electrical infrastructure contributed to the accident.

An experienced attorney can investigate the cause of the injury and identify all potential sources of liability.

Understand Your Legal Options

In California, victims of electrical shock injuries may have several legal options to pursue compensation.

Workers’ Compensation Claim – If the injury happened at work, you can file for workers’ compensation benefits. This system provides medical coverage and partial wage replacement, regardless of who was at fault. However, it does not cover pain and suffering.
Personal Injury Claim – If a third party’s negligence contributed to the injury, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. This allows you to recover damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and full lost wages.
Product Liability Claim – If the injury was caused by defective equipment, a lawsuit against the manufacturer may be appropriate. You must show that the product was defective and that the defect directly caused your injury.

Proving Negligence in an Electrical Shock Case

To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must establish that another party’s negligence led to the accident. This generally requires proving four elements:

Duty of care – The responsible party had an obligation to maintain safe conditions or equipment.
Breach of duty – They failed to fulfill that obligation through careless or reckless behavior.
Causation – The breach directly caused your injury.
Damages – You suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses or lost income.

Evidence such as maintenance records, inspection reports, and expert testimony can help establish these points. A personal injury attorney can assist in gathering and presenting this evidence effectively.

Types of Compensation You May Recover

Victims of electrical shock injuries may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These can include:

Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Loss of quality of life

In fatal cases, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and other related damages.

Time Limits for Filing a Claim

California law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. Generally, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of the injury. For workers’ compensation claims, you must notify your employer within 30 days and formally file within one year.

Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to compensation, so it is important to act quickly after an electrical shock injury.

How an Attorney Can Help

Electrical injury cases can be complicated because they often involve multiple parties, technical evidence, and insurance disputes. An attorney experienced in personal injury law can help by:

Investigating the cause of the accident
Identifying all responsible parties
Collecting medical and expert evidence
Negotiating with insurance companies
Representing you in court if needed

Having legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Electrical shock injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects. Whether the accident occurred at work, at home, or on another person’s property, you have legal rights under California law. Acting quickly to seek medical treatment, report the incident, and document evidence can make a significant difference in the success of your claim.

Recover Fully with the Help of a Los Angeles County Electrical Accident Attorney

Electrical accidents can have life-altering consequences, and victims need an advocate who understands the complexities of these cases. Michael D. Waks is a Los Angeles County electrical accident attorney who fights for injured clients to recover full and fair compensation. His firm is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and ensuring justice is served. Contact Michael D. Waks at (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.