Pittsburgh Electrical Shock Injury Attorney

Injuries caused by electric shocks are some of the most severe injuries a person can suffer. A person can suffer severe burns, loss of limb, cardiac arrest and brain damage. In the worst cases, a person can be killed. People in certain occupations, such as electricians, construction workers and cable installers, face higher risks of suffering severe shocks or electrocution at their jobs.

Any serious electrical injury can prevent a person from working for a long period of time and can lead to major medical expenses. If you or a loved one has been electrocuted, either at work, at home or on another person’s property, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover money for your medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.

The attorneys of Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C., have represented injured people since 1972. We understand that electrocutions and other serious electrical injuries can take a major physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families, and we are here to provide strong legal guidance and moral support during this difficult time. We work closely with our clients, and we have the experience and skill to seek every source of compensation for your injuries while you focus on your physical recovery.

If your injury took place while at work, our law firm will help you prepare a workers’ compensation claim. If there is someone other than your employer who is responsible for your injuries, we can file a third-party claim against that party. With our substantial experience, we are adept at locating any party who shares responsibility for your injuries, such as a subcontractor, manufacturer, product designer or other entity.

Common Electrical Injuries

Electrocution can be caused in many different settings by a number of events, such as:

• Defective or improperly maintained machinery or equipment
• Coming into contact with exposed wires
• Faulty wiring
• Buried or hidden electrical cable

Electrocutions and other electrical injuries typically occur as a result of low-voltage or high-voltage shocks or lightning, and many of these injuries can be severe or fatal. There are several types of electrical injuries, four of the most common are:

• Flash Injuries: These are injuries that are caused by an electric current known as an arc flash that passes through the air when the voltage of an electrified conductor is overloaded. Flash injuries are typically superficial and can cause severe damage to the skin. However, they usually do not penetrate the skin’s tissue.
• Flame Injuries: When an electrical current from an arc flash causes fire to an individual’s clothing or items nearby, the individual can suffer a burn injury from the flames. Burn injuries can vary in degree and severity, and some can be very serious or life-threatening.
• Lightning Injuries: When lightning strikes, it happens in an instant and sends an extremely high voltage electrical shock through its path, often resulting in severe and fatal injuries when an individual is struck. Lightning is so powerful that it is been known to split solid trees in half, destroy chimneys, and do similar types of damage. Sudden death is not uncommon with a lightning strike, and many survivors end up with permanent and debilitating conditions.
• Electrocution: Electrocutions happen when electrical currents pass through an individual’s body and causes shocks. Many electric shocks are fatal, while others may result in minor injuries or no injuries at all. An electric shock can also cause a burn injury, and if it happens when someone is in a high elevation, it can result in a serious fall.

Electrical injuries can cause a number of severe injuries, including:

• Nerve damage.
• Neurological damage.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Cardiac arrest another heart issues from the electric shock.
• Hearing loss.
• Scarring and disfigurement.
• Wrongful death.

Liability for Electrical Injuries

As we talked about earlier, if an electrical injury occurs at work, the first recourse is usually to file a workers’ compensation claim (assuming your employer has coverage). Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, meaning that you should be able to obtain benefits regardless of who caused your injury, and there is no need to prove negligence.

That said, the claims process is far more complicated and confusing than it should be, and injured workers are often denied the benefits that they deserve. For this reason, it is always best to work with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, so you are able to recover benefits and your rights are protected throughout the process.

Even when an electrical injury happens at work, there are a significant number of cases in which a party other than the employer could be responsible. This is where it pays to work with attorneys who have in-depth knowledge of this area of law and the proven ability to uncover all potential legal avenues for their clients. If a third party ends up being liable for the injury, you can recover damages not only for direct monetary losses such as medical bills and lost earnings, but also for intangible losses such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Some examples of parties that could be held responsible for electrical injuries include:

• Electricians and Contractors/Subcontractors: An electrical injury could occur at work because an electrician or another contractor or subcontractor installed an electrical system without following all of the safety codes and policies. When this is the case, the injured worker can file a legal claim against the party that did not install the system properly.
• Property Owners: Owners and caretakers are responsible to ensure that their property is safe and free of known hazards, including electrical wiring, systems, and outlets. If an owner fails to maintain these systems and a worker on the property gets electrocuted as a result, then they could be held responsible for the injury under the legal theory known as premises liability.
• Faulty Product Makers: When an appliance or piece of electrical equipment causes an injury during the course of regular use, there could be in inherent design flaw or a problem with the manufacturing process. Either way, if a defective or dangerous product is responsible for an electrical injury, it may be possible to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, supplier, or distributor.

Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims in Pittsburgh, PA

Electric shock injuries are among the most physically devastating and legally complex personal injury incidents in Pennsylvania. When a high-voltage current passes through the human body, the damage is rarely limited to the surface of the skin. It can affect the nervous system, internal organs, and cognitive functions. 

In Pittsburgh—a city with a blend of aging infrastructure, heavy industrial sectors, and constant construction—electric shock incidents occur at higher frequencies than many realize. Navigating the legal path to compensation requires a clear understanding of liability, the medical realities of electrical trauma, and the specific statutes governing Western Pennsylvania.

The Scope of Electrical Injuries in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage means that many residents work in sectors where electricity is a constant presence. Whether it is a utility worker dealing with overhead lines in neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill or an employee in a manufacturing plant along the Monongahela River, the risks are substantial. However, these incidents are not confined to industrial sites. Many claims arise from defective consumer products, poorly maintained apartment buildings, or contact with unmarked underground lines during residential renovations.

The medical consequences of these shocks are often categorized by the type of current and the duration of contact. Common injuries include:

• Thermal Burns: Severe damage to skin and underlying tissues at the entry and exit points.
• Internal Organ Damage: Currents can disrupt the heart’s rhythm or cause kidney failure due to the breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis).
• Neurological Effects: Victims may suffer from chronic pain, memory loss, or seizure disorders.
• Secondary Injuries: The force of an electrical jolt often throws a victim, leading to traumatic brain injuries or broken bones.

Identifying Liable Parties

Determining who is responsible for an electrical accident in Pittsburgh involves a meticulous investigation of the scene and the equipment involved. Liability is rarely simple. In many instances, multiple parties may share responsibility for the conditions that led to the injury.

1. Property Owners: Under Pennsylvania premises liability law, owners of commercial or residential property have a duty to maintain a safe environment. If a landlord ignores frayed wiring or a shop owner fails to repair a known electrical fault, they may be held accountable for resulting injuries.
2. Utility Companies: Duquesne Light and other utility providers are responsible for maintaining the safety of the grid. If downed power lines are not addressed promptly or if transformers are not properly secured, the utility company may face a claim for negligence.
3. Product Manufacturers: When a tool or appliance malfunctions and delivers a shock despite being used correctly, the manufacturer may be held strictly liable for a design or manufacturing defect.
4. Contractors and Employers: On construction sites, the failure to follow OSHA standards or to properly “lock out” power sources before work begins often serves as the foundation for a claim.

The Legal Framework for Compensation

In Pittsburgh, a person injured by an electric shock may seek several forms of compensation, often referred to as “damages.” The goal of these damages is to restore the individual, as much as possible, to the position they were in before the incident.

Economic Damages covers the tangible financial losses. This includes all medical bills—from the initial emergency room visit at UPMC to long-term rehabilitation and skin graft surgeries. It also accounts for lost wages if the victim is unable to return to work, as well as the loss of future earning capacity if the injury results in a permanent disability.

Non-Economic Damages addresses the intangible impact of the injury. Electrical shocks are notoriously painful and can lead to significant psychological trauma, including PTSD or severe anxiety. Compensation may be sought for physical pain, mental anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

The Statute of Limitations

It is critical for residents of Pennsylvania to be aware of the “statute of limitations.” For personal injury claims, including those involving electric shock, the law generally requires that a lawsuit be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. Failure to meet this deadline typically results in the permanent loss of the right to seek compensation through the court system.

Contact A Pittsburgh Electrocution Attorney Today

Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C., has an office in Pittsburgh. Call 412-391-9860 in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, or toll free at 866-466-5789. You may also complete our online contact form. We provide a free initial consultation on your case. If you cannot meet with us in our office, we can come to your home, hospital or union hall.