Working with electricity can be dangerous. An electrocution accident can result in severe injuries and permanent impairments. Some victims do not survive their injuries.
If you were injured because of an electrical accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. However, you must prove that another party caused the accident that resulted in your electrocution injury.
Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. have decades of combined legal experience. For over 125 years, we have fought for the rights of injured victims and their families in South Carolina. Our attorneys have top ratings and awards from many national organizations, including Best Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell. Contact Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. for a free consultation with one of our experienced South Carolina electrocution injury lawyers.
How Can a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me with an Electrocution Injury Claim?
Electrocution injury claims are complex personal injury cases. They may involve catastrophic injuries and complicated areas of law. When you hire our top-rated South Carolina electrocution injury lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your electrocution injury
- Identify all parties responsible for your damages
- Gather evidence to prove your claim, including working with leading expert witnesses
- Defend you against allegations of blame and contributory negligence
- File insurance claims and handle all matters related to insurance settlements
- Aggressively negotiate for fair compensation for all damages
- Take your case to trial if that is in your best interest
Contact Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our South Carolina electrocution injury attorneys. Let us help you hold the parties who caused your injuries responsible for their wrongdoing.
How Common Are Electrocution Injuries in South Carolina?
About 1,000 people die from electrocution each year in the United States. Additionally, about 30,000 people suffer from non-fatal shock incidents. Children make up about 20% of the electrical injuries each year.
Electrocutions are the fourth-leading cause of workplace deaths. OSHA includes electrocution as one of its “fatal four” accidents in the workplace. Children suffer electrocution injuries most often at home. Consumer products account for thousands of electrocutions and electrical accidents each year.
Common Causes of Electrocution Accidents in South Carolina
You can suffer an electrical injury or electrocution at home, work, a business, or anywhere else where electricity is present. Common causes of electrocution accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Household electronics and appliances
- Violations of building codes
- Damaged electrical cords
- Overloading power tools
- Defective tools, appliances, and equipment
- Faulty wiring
- Lightning strikes
- Contact with electrical lines
- Improper use of electrical outlets or extension cords
- Live sources of power near water
If you or a loved one is electrocuted, seek immediate medical treatment. Electrical accidents can cause severe injuries and death. Sometimes, it may be difficult to determine the severity of your injury because symptoms may be delayed or be attributed to another cause.
Injuries and Damage Caused by Electrocution Accidents
When your body encounters electricity, you may experience one or more injuries. Common injuries caused by electrocution accidents include:
- Burns to the skin from direct contact
- Destruction of muscle tissue and nerves
- Injury from a fall after being electrocuted
- Vision or hearing loss
- Breathing problems and lung failure
- Seizures
- Heart attack
- Headaches
- Nerve damage
- Irregular heartbeat
- Damage to internal organs
- Changes in alertness and/or unconsciousness
- Numbness and/or tingling
- Problems swallowing
- Muscle pain and spasms
Electrocution accidents can cause life-altering impairments and disabilities. In addition to receiving compensation for your past damages, you could receive compensation for future damages.
What Compensation Can I Receive for an Electrocution Accident in South Carolina?
South Carolina personal injury laws allow victims to seek compensation for their injuries, monetary losses, pain, and suffering. The damages are divided into two categories:
Economic damages represent the financial losses and expenses you incur. Examples include:
- Medical expenses and bills
- Rehabilitative therapies, including occupational and physical therapy
- Lost wages, income, and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Long-term personal and/or nursing care
- Reduction in future earning capacity
Non-economic damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you experience because of an electrocution accident. Examples include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical discomfort
- Disabilities and impairments
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
The value of your damages depends on many factors. The severity of your injuries is a significant factor in determining how much your claim is worth. Our experienced South Carolina electrocution lawyers analyze all factors to calculate the maximum value of your damages.
Who Is Liable for My Damages in an Electrocution Injury Case?
If your electrocution injury occurred at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Most workers in South Carolina are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation provides wage loss benefits and medical treatment for work-related injuries. If you sustain a permanent impairment, you may receive disability benefits.
One or more third parties could be liable for your damages. You may have a claim based on general negligence, intentional torts, or strict liability. For example, if a defective product causes your electrocution injury, you can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer and other responsible parties.
A third-party claim can result in significantly more compensation for damages than a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp does not include pain and suffering damages.
However, you must prove fault to establish liability for a third-party claim. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You can be at fault for causing your work injury and still recover workers’ comp benefits.
For a third-party claim, you must have sufficient evidence to prove the legal elements of your claim. For example, a negligence claim requires you to prove:
- The party had a duty of care
- They breached the duty of care through their actions
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your injuries
- You sustained damages because of the breach of duty
An attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your claim to recover the compensation you need and deserve for an electrocution accident.
Seek Legal Advice from Our South Carolina Electrocution Injury Attorneys
Electrocution accidents often occur on construction sites. However, you may be injured in an electrocution accident anywhere there is electricity. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. can help you file a claim seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation with an attorney.
With law offices in Florence and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A. serves Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, the Grand Strand, and other communities throughout Florence County, Marion County, Horry County, Darlington County, and Georgetown County.