Electrical injuries are one of the most common and least discussed accidents to happen to construction workers and other skilled laborers, and if you’ve suffered an electrical shock you may suffer a number of complications. Others have died from electrical shock related injuries, and under New York workers’ compensation law you may wonder if electric shock related injuries or deaths are covered.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 1,000 workers have died from electric shock related incidents in the five year period between 2011 and 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classified electric shock related deaths as occupational injuries and fatalities, and occupational injuries and fatalities are covered under worker’s compensation. If you have suffered an injury due to improper installation or handling of electrical wiring or equipment, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim so long as you are not at fault.
Situations where you would not be at fault might involve an employer insisting that work continue on a construction site despite a downed and active power line on the site, or other unsafe conditions such as being required to repair electrical wiring without proper personal protective equipment. Situations where you might be determined to be at fault would involve negligent operation of electrical equipment, or if you as an electrical contractor conducted poor workmanship that created unsafe conditions when working with electrical wiring.
The details provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as legal advice over the consultation of a qualified lawyer.
