If you have sustained electrocution injuries on the job in Wisconsin, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical care and offset part of your lost income. Under certain circumstances, you could also have grounds for a third-party injury claim against the people responsible for what happened. If a loved one died from electrocution at work, surviving family members could be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits or a third-party wrongful death claim.
If the electrocution accident happened outside of work, you could have a valid personal injury claim against the parties whose negligence caused the accident.
At Schwaba Law Firm, our experienced attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury cases. Since 2010, we have been helping people in Wisconsin pursue compensation after someone else hurt them. We are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you now.
Do not try to handle your claim alone. Call Schwaba Law Firm or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with an electrocution injury attorney in Wisconsin.
Why You Need a Wisconsin Electrocution Injury Attorney
Electrocution injury cases involve complex medical, technical, and legal issues – matters you likely cannot effectively resolve on your own.
If you were injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and you may even have grounds to file a lawsuit against negligent non-employer third parties. If your electrocution accident happened outside of work, you could have a personal injury claim against the negligent parties responsible for the accident.
However, employers, at-fault parties, and their insurance providers often try to minimize payouts by questioning the severity of electrical injuries or disputing their responsibility for paying compensation.
At Schwaba Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers know how to fight back against these tactics and pursue full compensation for what you deserve.
What Is an Electrocution Injury?
An electrocution injury occurs when electrical current passes through the body, causing tissue damage and potentially life-threatening complications. The severity of an electrocution injury depends on several factors, including the voltage, the path the current takes through the body, and how long the contact lasts.
Catastrophic injuries are a frequent result of electrocution.
Common types and symptoms of electrical injuries include:
- Burn injuries, including electrical burns
- Unconsciousness
- Heart rhythm abnormalities
- Neurological damage and brain injuries
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
- Fractures and dislocations
- Respiratory problems
Medical evaluation is essential after any electrical contact, regardless of how you feel initially.
Common Causes of Electrocution Accidents in Wisconsin
Electrocution injuries can happen in many circumstances. Some examples of common causes of severe injuries from electrocution include:
- Contact with power lines
- Faulty equipment
- Improper electrical installations and faulty wiring
- Defective machinery
- Inadequate safety protocols or poor maintenance
- Power line contact during tree trimming or other outdoor work
- Faulty appliances, power tools, or electrical components
- Substandard electrical work or code violations resulting in exposed wiring
- Improper grounding
- Damaged power lines
Legal Rights After an Electrocution Injury in Wisconsin
If you have been electrocuted while at work, you could have multiple options for pursuing compensation for what happened. If you are a covered employee, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which pay for your related medical care, offset a portion of your lost income, and can retrain you for other work, if necessary.
Furthermore, if someone other than your employer caused the incident, you could be entitled to sue the negligent party in a personal injury lawsuit. For example, property owners, contractors, and product manufacturers all have legal duties to maintain safe electrical systems on their premises or in their products and warn of known hazards.
You may have grounds for a personal injury claim if your accident resulted from:
- Failure to properly maintain electrical systems or equipment
- Electrical work that does not meet safety standards
- Failure to post signs or barriers around electrical hazards
- Manufacturing defects in electrical equipment or appliances
Wisconsin has a comparative negligence law, which means you can still recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit even if you bear some responsibility for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot obtain any compensation. Fault is not a factor in workers’ compensation claims.
Role of an Electrocution Injury Attorney
An electrocution injury attorney from Schwaba Law Firm can advocate for you throughout the legal process. Let us handle the legal and technical aspects of your case while you focus on medical treatment and recovery.
We are ready to take steps in your electric shock injury case, such as:
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Working with electrical experts
- Collaborating with medical professionals and electrocution expert witnesses
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit or a workers’ compensation appeal and representing you in court and at hearings when necessary
We will use every resource at our disposal to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve, including consulting expert witnesses. If we need to go to trial to seek justice, we will. What is more, we will do this at no upfront cost to you, instead charging a fee only if and when we recover money for you.
Compensation Available in an Electrocution Injury Case
The losses you suffer because of your injuries are both monetary and personal. Your electrocution injury claim could include money for all these losses. In a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and lost earning capacity
- Future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Workers’ compensation benefits are more limited, including medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and vocational retraining, for example.
FAQs About Electrocution Injury Claims in Wisconsin
What should I do immediately after suffering an electrocution injury?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine at first. Electric shock injuries can cause internal damage that is not immediately apparent. Report the incident to the relevant authorities and document the scene if possible. As soon as you are able, contact our electric shock attorneys to discuss your legal options.
Who can be held liable for an electrocution injury in Wisconsin?
Multiple parties could bear responsibility, including property owners, employers, contractors, utility companies, and manufacturers. Liability depends on the specific circumstances of your accident and who had a duty to maintain electrical safety. However, unlike personal injury claims, eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits does not depend on fault.
How much is an electrocution injury case worth?
Case values vary significantly based on injury severity, duration of the healing process, medical costs, lost income, and other factors. Severe electrical injuries that cause lasting disability typically result in higher compensation than minor injuries that the injured person recovers from completely.
How long do I have to file an electrocution injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin generally gives you three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, in some cases, the deadline is much sooner, so it is important to consult our attorneys promptly.
Do I need an electrocution expert witness to win my case?
Electrocution expert witnesses are a critical part of many electrocution injury cases. Experts can explain complex technical issues, establish safety standard violations, and help prove negligence. Our firm frequently works with qualified experts who can help us better understand the issues in question and explain them to insurers and the court, if necessary.
Contact Our Wisconsin Electrocution Injury Attorneys for Help
Let our experienced electrocution injury attorneys help you pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and recovery. We never charge a fee unless you get paid.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
