New Jersey Workplace Electrocution Accident Attorneys

Electrical work is an essential part of daily life, but it’s also dangerous. Many workplace laws, rules, and regulations govern those who work with electricity. These safeguards seek to reduce the possibility of injury and protect the lives and health of those who work with or near electricity. 

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we help New Jersey workers navigate workers’ compensation benefits after being injured in an electrocution accident. We’ve successfully helped thousands of workers obtain the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve after a work-related injury. 

Common Causes of Electrocution Injuries in the Workplace

About 150 workers die from electrocution injuries in US workplaces every year, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

The top causes of electrocution injuries in the workplace include:

• Overhead contact with power lines,
• Unexpected contact with electricity, often resulting from shorts, improperly labeled tools or equipment, or defects in electrical components,
• Contact with nearby equipment or parts that have become energized,
• Ground faults, and
• Damaged wiring or equipment. 

Electricians aren’t the only ones at risk of electrocution injuries at work. According to ESFI, 74 percent of workplace electricity-related deaths are suffered by workers in “non-electrical occupations.” 

While electricians face more exposure to electricity and potential electrocution, workers in any industry can suffer electrocution injuries. The top industries for electrocution deaths and injuries include construction, tree trimming, HVAC work, roofing, heavy truck drivers, and commercial painters. 

Workers’ Compensation After an Electrocution Accident

New Jersey employees are covered by the state’s workers’ compensation laws. Workers’ compensation provides several benefits for employees who suffer electrocution accidents. 

Workers’ compensation provides five types of benefits:

• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – If the claimant is determined to be permanently totally disabled, they continue to receive 70% of their average weekly wage. 
• Medical Expenses – For doctor appointments and other reasonable treatments, such as rehabilitation.
• Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) – Receive 70% of their average weekly wages for days missed from work.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) – Payments for a permanent impairment of bodily function, but the claimant can still work. Benefits are granted according to the type and degree of impairment or disability.
• Death (Dependency) benefits for surviving dependents if a work-related electrocution injury causes death. 

Employees may receive workers’ compensation benefits no matter who was at fault for the accident. 

The workers’ compensation process begins when an injured worker notifies their employer of an injury. In an emergency, your employer may learn you’ve been injured when they are called to the scene or asked to call 911 for you. In other situations, you may need to tell your supervisor or someone in authority at your workplace that you were injured. 

It’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible after an injury. A doctor can evaluate your injuries, prescribe appropriate treatment, and create medical records that document what happened to you and what you will need to recover. 

Overcoming Common Challenges in Workers’ Compensation Claims

Once you notify your employer of your injuries, New Jersey workers’ compensation law requires your employer to open a claim with their workers’ compensation employer. In an ideal situation, this process unfolds smoothly and you receive the full amount of benefits to which you are entitled under state law. 

In reality, however, many injured employees face challenges in receiving their workers’ compensation benefits. Common challenges in these claims include:

• Delays, lack of communication, and other difficulties in understanding your claim or connecting with your employer or insurer.
• Disputes about how severe your injuries are,
• Questions about whether your injuries were caused by a pre-existing condition or by events that occurred away from your work, 
• Demands that you follow proper procedures – even if you believe you already have. 

Overcoming these challenges can be tough when you’re struggling to recover from serious injuries or dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one. But you don’t have to do it alone.

The experienced New Jersey electrocution accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm have extensive experience addressing these and other challenges from the workers’ compensation process. We work hard to investigate your claim, consult with medical experts, and build a case to establish your entitlement to benefits under state law. 

Third-Party Liability in an Electrocution Claim

In exchange for receiving workers’ compensation benefits, injured employees give up the right to sue their employer in court. However, an injured person or the family of a deceased person may bring a claim against a third party whose negligence caused or contributed to the injuries. 

Examples of situations in which an injured person might have a third-party claim include:

• A subcontractor fails to use lockout/tagout protocols correctly, causing injuries. In this case, the injured person might have a claim against the subcontractor.
• A defective electrical tool shorts out or arcs, causing injuries. Here, the injured person might have a claim against the designer or manufacturer of the tool. 

Other types of third-party claims may also exist. These claims can provide additional compensation for losses that workers’ compensation does not cover. To learn more about whether you have a claim and what your rights are, talk to an experienced New Jersey electrocution accident attorney. 

Time Limits for Filing a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Claim

New Jersey law requires workers’ compensation claims to be filed within two years of the date of the injury. If your claim isn’t filed within this time, you may lose the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits. 

Delaying your claim has other disadvantages as well. A delayed claim can become more complex, which can also undermine your chances of receiving full benefits. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible to learn about how time limits apply in your case and to start the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. 

Common Injuries Sustained in Electrocution Accidents

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identifies four main types of electrical injuries: flash, flame, lightning, and true.

• Flash injuries are caused by an arc flash. They often produce first-degree burns. In the workplace, however, the sudden surprise of an arc flash may lead to other injuries, such as a head injury or broken bones in a fall.
• Flame injuries occur when an arc flash sets a person’s clothing, hair, or tools on fire. Other nearby objects may also catch fire. Injuries frequently occur from the resulting flames rather than from the arc flash itself. 
• Lightning injuries involve short, high-voltage electrical energy. An electrical current flows through the body quickly. These injuries can disrupt the heartbeat and other body systems. They also leave behind a trail of carbon molecules, which may increase the risk of blood clots or other problems. 
• True electrical injuries occur when a person’s body becomes part of an electrical circuit. These injuries can cause major disruption to body systems and even death. 

Some electrical injuries are instantly fatal. Others cause major disruption to multiple body tissues or organs. For some people, these disruptions prove fatal in the hours, days, or weeks after an electrocution. Others survive these problems but experience lifelong disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement as a result. 

Whether your injuries were caused by electricity directly or by fire, falls, or other events, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation benefits apply if your electrocution injury is work-related and you are an employee. 

Contact Our New Jersey Workplace Electrocution Accident Attorneys at Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Today!

Recovering from an electrocution injury, or facing the sudden loss of a loved one, is physically and emotionally exhausting. What started as a normal day ended in pain, fear, and uncertainty. A New Jersey worker who is injured on-the-job may endure a whirlwind of doctors’ appointments, face large medical bills, rising expenses, and difficulty in making enough money to meet the needs of their family. You may wonder if you’ll ever return to work, enjoy your past hobbies, or fear you won’t be able to support your loved ones the way you once did.Whether it be through a workers’ comp claim and/or a third-party personal injury case, our worker’s compensation and personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey.  To learn more about how we can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a FREE and confidential consultation. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.