Construction Electrocution Accident Lawyer

At Arye, Lustig & Sassower, P.C., we understand the devastating impact of electrical accidents on construction sites. Our team of construction electrocution accident lawyers has helped workers and families in New York City navigate the complex legal aftermath of these tragic incidents. With decades of experience representing construction workers, we provide dedicated legal representation to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case with our experienced construction accident lawyer team.

Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled To After an Electrocution Injury on a Construction Site

At Arye, Lustig & Sassower, P.C., we understand that electrocution injuries on construction sites can have devastating financial impacts on workers and their families. As your construction electrocution accident lawyer, we seek to pursue every available avenue of compensation. Here are the types of financial recovery you may be entitled to receive:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for all current and future medical treatments, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy related to your electrical injury.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for all missed work time, including the period immediately following your construction accident and any future time needed for medical appointments or recovery.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: Financial recovery for any reduction in your ability to earn income in the future due to permanent injuries from the construction site electrocution.
• Pain and Suffering: Monetary compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced due to the electrical accident and resulting injuries.
• Permanent Disability: Additional compensation if your construction electrocution accident resulted in lasting impairments that affect your daily life and work capabilities.
• Disfigurement: Financial recovery for visible scarring or disfigurement caused by electrical burns or other injuries from the construction accident.
• Medical Equipment: Coverage for any necessary medical devices, mobility aids, or home modifications needed due to your electrical injury.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Compensation for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation services needed after your construction site electrocution.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Financial recovery for the impact your electrical injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life and participate in activities you once enjoyed.
• Family Impact Damages: Compensation for the effect your construction accident injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse and family members.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving extreme negligence, additional compensation may be awarded to punish the responsible parties and prevent future construction electrocution accidents.
• Workers' Compensation Benefits: Immediate access to medical care and partial wage replacement through the workers' compensation system while your construction accident lawyer pursues additional compensation.
• Wrongful Death: Claims may cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, benefits, inheritance, companionship, and guidance.

How a Construction Electrocution Accident Lawyer Can Help

We understand the complex challenges faced by workers and families after a construction site electrocution accident. Our construction electrocution accident lawyers provide comprehensive legal support through every step of your case. Here's how we can assist you:

• Immediate Case Evaluation: Our construction accident lawyer team will seek to thoroughly assess your electrocution incident, identifying all potential liable parties and applicable laws that strengthen your claim.
• Evidence Preservation: We may work to secure crucial evidence, including accident scene photos, witness statements, safety records, and OSHA violation documentation before it can be altered or destroyed.
• Accident Investigation: Our construction electrocution accident lawyers may coordinate with safety investigators, electrical engineers, and medical professionals to establish exactly how the accident occurred and who bears responsibility.
• Insurance Company Negotiations: Our team handles all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from potentially damaging statements while advocating for maximum compensation for your electrical injuries.
• Medical Care Coordination: We may help connect you with appropriate medical providers and ensure all your electrical injury treatments are properly documented to support your claim.
• Labor Law Violations: Our construction accident lawyer team seeks to thoroughly examine potential violations of New York Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6), which often provide additional avenues for compensation.
• Documentation Management: We handle all paperwork, deadlines, and legal filings related to your construction electrocution case, to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Settlement Evaluation: Our construction electrocution accident lawyers carefully analyze settlement offers to ensure they adequately cover all current and future expenses related to your electrical injuries.
• Trial Preparation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we meticulously prepare your case for trial, including gathering expert testimony and creating compelling presentations of evidence.
• Family Support: We can also provide guidance to family members in cases of fatal electrocution accidents, handling wrongful death claims, and ensuring surviving family members receive appropriate compensation.
• Future Planning: Our team may work with financial planners and medical professionals to ensure any settlement or verdict adequately covers your long-term needs after a serious electrical injury.

Types of Electrical Injuries We Handle

We understand the complex medical and legal challenges associated with each type of electrical injury and work diligently to secure appropriate compensation for every aspect of harm our clients have suffered.

• Electric Shock Injuries: These injuries occur when an electrical current passes through the body, potentially causing internal damage to organs, muscles, and nerves that may not be immediately visible but can have long-lasting effects.
• Electrical Burns: Our construction accident lawyer team handles cases involving all four degrees of electrical burns, from superficial injuries to deep tissue damage that can occur at the electrical current's entry and exit points.
• Arc Flash Injuries: These devastating injuries result from electrical explosions that can cause severe burns, blindness, hearing damage, and other trauma from the intense heat, light, and pressure wave generated by the arc flash event.
• Internal Organ Damage: Electrical current passing through the body can cause severe damage to internal organs, particularly affecting the heart, brain, nervous system, and other vital organs that may require long-term medical care.
• Cardiac Complications: We represent workers who have experienced heart problems following electrical accidents, including cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular issues that may develop immediately or in the weeks following exposure.
• Neurological Damage: Our construction electrocution accident lawyers handle cases involving damage to the nervous system, including cases of peripheral nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, and brain trauma resulting from electrical accidents.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries: We assist workers who have suffered muscle damage, bone fractures, and joint injuries caused by violent muscle contractions during electrical shock or falls following electrocution.
• Thermal Burns: Beyond direct electrical burns, we handle cases involving secondary burns from fires started by electrical accidents or contact with surfaces heated by electrical current.
• Vision and Hearing Loss: Our team represents workers who have suffered damage to their eyes or ears from electrical accidents, including cases of flash blindness, retinal damage, or hearing impairment from arc flash events.
• Secondary Impact Injuries: We handle cases where workers have been injured not just by the electrical current itself, but also by falls, equipment impacts, or other accidents that occur as a result of the electrical shock.
• Psychological Trauma: Our construction accident lawyer team recognizes and pursues compensation for psychological injuries, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, that often accompany serious electrical accidents.
• Fatal Electrocution: In cases of fatal accidents, we seek to provide compassionate representation to families pursuing wrongful death claims, ensuring they receive full compensation for their devastating loss.

Common Construction Site Electrical Hazards

Here are the most common electrical hazards we encounter in construction site accidents:

• Overhead Power Lines: Contact with overhead electrical lines is one of the leading causes of construction site electrocutions, particularly when using metal ladders, scaffolding, or crane equipment near energized lines.
• Exposed Electrical Wiring: Temporary wiring setups and unfinished electrical systems present serious shock risks, especially in partially completed structures where wire protection may be incomplete or damaged.
• Damaged Extension Cords: Frayed, cut, or improperly repaired extension cords on construction sites can expose workers to direct contact with electrical current, leading to severe shock injuries or electrocution.
• Wet Conditions: Water from rain, plumbing work, or ground seepage creates dangerous conditions when combined with electrical equipment, significantly increasing the risk of electrical accidents on construction sites.
• Improper Grounding: Construction equipment and power tools that aren't properly grounded can create electrical shock hazards, particularly when protective earth connections are missing or compromised.
• Defective Power Tools: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained electrical tools can cause severe shock injuries, especially when safety features fail or insulation becomes damaged during regular use.
• Lightning Strikes: Outdoor construction workers face risks from lightning during storms, particularly when working on tall structures or operating metal equipment in exposed areas.
• Arc Flash Incidents: Working near energized electrical panels or equipment can lead to dangerous arc flash events, causing severe burns and other electrical injuries to construction workers.
• Missing Ground Fault Protection: The absence of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) on construction sites can leave workers vulnerable to electrical shock when using portable power tools and equipment.
• Unmarked Live Circuits: Failure to properly label or lock out energized electrical systems during renovation or repair work creates dangerous situations where workers may accidentally contact live wires.
• Metal Surface Contact: Tools or equipment touching hidden electrical sources can energize entire metal surfaces, creating shock hazards for any workers who come in contact with these surfaces.
• Inadequate Lockout/Tagout: Improper implementation of lockout/tagout procedures during electrical maintenance or repair work can lead to accidental energization and severe electrical accidents.

Common Causes of Construction Site Electrical Accidents

Our construction electrocution accident lawyers have investigated numerous electrical accidents on construction sites throughout New York City. Through our extensive experience, we've identified key factors that frequently contribute to these dangerous incidents. Understanding these causes is crucial for both preventing future accidents and establishing liability in construction injury cases.

• Inadequate Safety Training: Workers may not receive proper electrical safety training or regular updates on safety protocols, leading to dangerous mistakes when working near energized equipment or power lines.
• Poor Communication Between Contractors: Multiple contractors working simultaneously often fail to coordinate their activities effectively, creating situations where one crew's electrical work endangers other workers on the site.
• Rushed Work Schedules: Pressure to meet tight deadlines can lead to workers taking dangerous shortcuts with electrical safety procedures or skipping crucial safety checks before beginning work.
• Improper Tool Maintenance: Failure to regularly inspect and maintain electrical tools and equipment can result in deteriorated insulation, damaged cords, or malfunctioning safety features that cause electrical accidents.
• Missing Personal Protective Equipment: Workers may lack appropriate PPE for electrical work, such as insulated gloves, protective eyewear, or proper footwear, increasing their risk of electrical injury.
• Inadequate Site Inspection: Failure to conduct thorough site inspections can leave dangerous electrical hazards unidentified and unaddressed, creating risks for all workers in the area.
• Defective Safety Equipment: Malfunctioning or improperly maintained safety equipment, such as voltage testers or ground fault circuit interrupters, can give workers false confidence in dangerous situations.
• Weather-Related Complications: Failure to adjust work practices during wet conditions or storms can lead to increased risks of electrical accidents when water interacts with power sources.
• Insufficient Warning Signs: Lack of proper signage warning workers about electrical hazards, especially in areas with hidden power lines or newly energized systems, can lead to accidental contact.
• Incorrect Wiring Installation: Improper installation of temporary or permanent electrical systems by unqualified workers can create hidden hazards that may not be apparent until an accident occurs.
• Failed Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Inadequate implementation of lockout/tagout protocols during maintenance or repair work can result in unexpected equipment energization and serious electrical injuries.
• Cost-Cutting Measures: Attempts to reduce project costs by using substandard electrical materials or hiring unqualified workers can create dangerous conditions that lead to accidents.

Your Rights After a Construction Site Electrical Accident

New York law provides significant protections for injured workers, and knowing these rights is crucial for protecting your interests and securing proper compensation.

• Third-Party Liability Claims: Beyond workers' compensation, you may have the right to pursue additional compensation through a lawsuit against responsible parties other than your employer, such as contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners.
• Labor Law Section 240(1) Protection: New York's "Scaffold Law" provides special protection for workers injured by gravity-related hazards, which can include falling after an electrical shock or electrocution incidents involving elevated work.
• Labor Law Section 241(6) Rights: This law gives construction workers the right to pursue claims when specific safety regulations are violated, including those related to electrical safety and power equipment.
• Emergency Medical Care: You have the right to seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider of your choice for electrical injuries, even if your employer suggests specific doctors.
• Job Protection: Your employer cannot legally terminate you for filing a workers' compensation claim or pursuing legal action after a construction site electrical accident.
• Access to Safety Records: You are entitled to obtain copies of accident reports, OSHA investigations, and other safety documentation related to your electrical accident.
• Right to Representation: You have the right to hire a construction accident lawyer to represent your interests throughout all legal proceedings related to your electrical injury case.
• Future Medical Care: You maintain the right to receive ongoing medical treatment for your electrical injuries, including long-term care and rehabilitation services when necessary, consistent with workers' compensation law.

Who Might Be Liable for My Electrocution Injury?

Construction projects typically involve multiple contractors and entities, each of whom may share liability for electrical injuries. Understanding these potentially liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation.

• General Contractors: The primary contractor overseeing the construction project has a legal duty to maintain safe working conditions and ensure proper electrical safety protocols are followed throughout the site.
• Electrical Subcontractors: Companies or individuals specifically hired to perform electrical work may be liable if their negligent installation, repairs, or maintenance led to your electrical injury.
• Property Owners: Building or site owners can be held responsible under New York Labor Law for failing to provide adequate protection against electrical hazards or allowing unsafe conditions to exist.
• Equipment Manufacturers: Companies that design, manufacture, or sell defective electrical equipment, tools, or safety devices that malfunction and cause electrical injuries can be held liable through product liability claims.
• Other Subcontractors: Non-electrical contractors whose work activities damaged electrical systems or created hazardous conditions leading to your electrocution may share responsibility for your injuries.

What To Do After a Construction Site Electrocution Injury

Our construction electrocution accident lawyers understand that the moments following an electrical accident are crucial for your health and legal rights. Following these steps can protect both your well-being and your right to compensation.

• Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if you think your electrical injury is minor, get emergency medical attention right away since electrical injuries can have serious internal effects that aren't immediately visible.
• Report the Accident: Notify your supervisor or site manager about the electrical accident as soon as possible, making sure to get written documentation of your report for future reference.
• Document the Scene: If you're able, take photos or videos of the accident location, including any electrical equipment involved, exposed wiring, or safety violations that may have contributed to your injury.
• Gather Witness Information: Collect names and contact information from any coworkers or others who witnessed the electrical accident or knew about unsafe conditions on the construction site.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep your work clothes, tools, and any equipment involved in the electrical accident in their post-accident condition, as they may provide crucial evidence for your construction accident lawyer.
• Record Your Symptoms: Keep a daily log for your construction accident attorney of all symptoms and medical issues you experience after the electrical accident, including pain levels, mobility issues, and any cognitive problems.
• Follow Medical Instructions: Carefully follow all treatment plans and attend every medical appointment, as consistent medical documentation strengthens your case and supports your recovery.
• Avoid Recorded Statements: Decline to give recorded statements to insurance companies or sign any documents before consulting with a construction electrocution accident lawyer about your rights.
• Track Lost Work Time: Maintain accurate records of all missed work days and lost wages resulting from your electrical injury, including time spent at medical appointments.
• Save All Documentation: Keep copies of all accident reports, medical records, correspondence, and receipts related to your electrical injury, including emergency room visits and follow-up care.
• Limit Social Media Use: Avoid posting about your electrical accident or injuries on social media, as insurance companies may use these posts to challenge your claim.
• Contact Legal Representation: Call our construction accident lawyer team as soon as possible to protect your rights and build your case for maximum compensation.

Get Help After Your Construction Site Electrical Accident

If you or a loved one has suffered an electrical injury on a construction site, don't face this challenging time alone. Our construction electrocution accident lawyers at Arye, Lustig & Sassower, P.C. are ready to protect your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case with our experienced construction accident lawyer team.

Construction Site Electrical Accident Lawyer FAQs

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my electrical accident?

Yes. New York generally follows comparative negligence laws, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the electrical accident. Your percentage of fault may reduce your compensation, but our construction accident lawyer team will seek to minimize any assigned blame and maximize your recovery.

Will I need to testify in court about my electrical accident?

While many construction accident cases settle before trial, you should be prepared to testify if necessary. Our construction accident lawyer team will do our best to prepare you for any testimony, seeking to ensure you feel confident and comfortable describing your electrical accident and injuries.

How do you prove that safety violations led to my electrical accident?

Our construction electrocution accident lawyers may work with safety consultants and electrical engineers to document OSHA violations, building code infractions, and industry safety standard violations. We obtain inspection records, maintenance logs, and witness testimony to establish how safety failures caused your accident.

What if my electrical injury prevents me from returning to construction work?

If your electrical injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, we pursue compensation for vocational rehabilitation, job retraining, and loss of earning capacity. Our construction accident lawyer team may work with vocational experts to document how your injuries affect your future employment prospects.

Does my immigration status affect my right to compensation for an electrical accident?

No. Under New York law, your immigration status does not affect your right to pursue compensation for construction site injuries. Our construction electrocution accident lawyers will protect your rights regardless of your immigration status.

What if the electrical accident was caused by defective equipment?

We can pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor if faulty equipment contributed to your electrical injury. Moreover, we can pursue claims against the job site owner, general contractor, and their agents on construction/demolition projects if they caused/allowed defective equipment to be used on the job site. These claims exist separately from workers' compensation and can provide additional compensation for your injuries.

Should I provide a recorded statement to insurance companies about my electrical accident?

No. You should not provide recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting our construction electrocution accident lawyers. Insurance companies may use these statements to minimize your compensation, and we can protect your interests during all insurance communications.