Alabama Electrical Shock Injuries

The most common injury sustained from an electrical shock is a burn, according to Web MD. Injuries can range from no injury at all, generally from exposure to household currents, to devastating injuries or death, often from a lightning strike or stronger electrical energy sources. When a person comes in contact with an electrical energy source, the energy flows through a portion of the body and creates shock injuries. Electricity passing through your body can be strong enough to create a fall as well.

Many electrical shock injuries or electrocution events occur from exposure and/or contact with power lines or electrical wires. The attorneys have years of experience litigating these types of cases, including ones against Alabama Power Company. It is critically important in these cases to hire an attorney as soon as possible so that the attorney can make sure that the scene is properly preserved and inspected and that evidence is secured. The power companies will immediately dispatch investigators to the scene to gather evidence and an injured victim will be disadvantaged if they don’t have a representative present to protect their interests.

Should you be with someone who is seriously injured due to electrical shock, the Mayo Clinic says you should:

• not touch the person if the person is still in contact with the electrical current.
• call 911 immediately.
• do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger.

While waiting for medical assistance:

• turn off the source of the electricity if possible.
• use a non-conducting object (cardboard, wood or plastic) if you must move the person out of danger.
• perform CPR if need be.
• do not allow the person to get chilled.
• apply loose bandages to burns if possible.

Medscape indicates that electric injury accounts for some 1,000 deaths each year in the United States. Since the inception of electricity in 1849, electrical use has been society’s most potentially dangerous commodity. As the use of electricity increased, so did injuries.

Should you or a loved one suffer a burn from an electrical shock or death by electrocution, please ensure you receive adequate medical treatment. Once you have done so, please call Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. at 205-324-3600 or 1-844-LAW-TALK for a free review of your claim. Our caring, experienced attorneys are ready to help.