How often are electricians injured on-the-job?
Virtually every occupation comes with a risk of injury, but some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. For the electricians who keep the American power grid up and running, the risk of injury is high. Knowing your rights under the law and how to respond to electrical burns at work can make all the difference in how the aftermath of a workplace injury plays out.
What types of injuries do electricians experience at work?
Electricity is part of American life and enables or enhances virtually everything we do throughout each day. From agriculture to manufacturing, tech to travel, electricity literally powers our lives.
The workers who facilitate the creation and transfer of electricity are often underappreciated until or unless the power goes out. Far too few understand the dangers that come with this line of work.
Electricians are subject to numerous types of injury, including but not limited to the following:
- Electrical burns
- Fractures and broken bones
- Hearing loss and tinnitus
- Laceration and shrapnel injuries
- Severe muscle stains
- Soft tissue damage
- Electric shock
- Mesothelioma
Even though electricians go through substantial workplace safety training, they still face a high risk of bodily harm each and every day they are on the job.
What are my rights after suffering a workplace injury?
Workers’ compensation is a special type of insurance that exists to help workers who are injured on the job. If you or a loved one suffers electrical burns or other workplace injuries, you have rights under the law.
Workers’ compensation can help cover the cost of medical expenses needed to treat a workplace injury. This includes emergency medical care, transportation to medical care, doctor’s visits, and more.
If you have ongoing care expenses like physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, assistive device needs, or long-term treatments, workers’ compensation can also help. Some injures can be treated during a relatively short period of time and don’t result in long-term damages, while others will change the way a worker feels and functions for the rest of their lives.
If you’ve lost wages following a workplace injury, workers’ compensation can help make sure you receive fair financial compensation for that lost income. Determining the proper amount of compensation can be complicated and often requires extensive assessment and documentation.
Finally, in the event a worker dies as a result of a workplace injury, workers’ compensation can cover funeral expenses and help the family move forward without extensive financial damage.
What should I do in the event of electrical burns at work?
If you’re injured while on the job, it’s important to take the proper steps to protect a workers’ compensation claim. The first step is to secure our immediate safety and get the necessary medical care. Once you’ve been assessed and treated, notifying your employer is an essential step.
Inform your employer of the extent of your injuries and the manner in which they occurred. If possible, document the scene with photographs and make a note of any witnesses.
The date you notify your employer of a workplace injury allows them to file a notice with the workers’ comp insurance company. This is the starting point for the two-year statute of limitations period you have to file a workers’ compensation claim.
If your injury did not require immediate medical care, your next step after notifying your employer is to get checked out by a physician. You don’t need to see the company doctor, or a health care provider chosen by your employer.
It’s important to keep track of any and all expenses related to your injury. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that would not be at play if the accident never happened.
Avoid speaking with representatives from the insurance company before you’ve made contact with a workers’ compensation attorney. The focus of insurance professionals is to look after the needs of the insurance company, not the worker.
How do I know if I need legal representation after a workplace injury?
Most workers benefit from having a skilled and experienced legal team review their case after a workplace injury. If you’ve sustained electrical burns at work, reach out to speak to an attorney about the specifics of your case. Not all workplace injuries are clear-cut, and it can be difficult to determine if you should move forward with a workers’ comp claim after being hurt on-the-job.
Unfortunately, some employers and insurance companies will go to great lengths to discourage injured employees from pursuing their rights to fair compensation after a workplace injury. An experienced attorney will not only evaluate the specifics of your case and advise you on the next steps, but they can also handle all of the paperwork and negotiations needed to resolve the matter.
Your focus after a workplace injury should be on recovering as fully as possible. Let a skilled and compassionate legal professional address your rights under the law as you navigate through medical care and rehabilitation. You’ll not only get the compensation you deserve, but you’ll also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your interests are being properly looked after.
