For most of us, electrocution is not a danger we regularly concern ourselves with. However, some professionals are regularly exposed to electric hazards, and construction workers, in particular, are at tremendous risk of harmful, even fatal electrocutions. Below, we take a closer look at these workplace injuries and what can be done to hold those responsible accountable.
How Construction Site Electrocution Occurs
Construction workers face many different hazards while on the job, but few of them are as potentially harmful as electrocution. In fact, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) considers electrocution one of its "fatal four" hazards for construction workers and estimates that in 2014 these incidents accounted for more than 8% of all construction worker fatalities nationwide.
Construction site electrocutions occur due to:
- Unintended contact with underground/overhead power lines
- Unintended contact with conductors
- Contact with live machinery
- Faulty or improperly installed electrical wiring or equipment
- Failure or lack of ground fault circuit interrupters
Who Is Responsible?
Some workplace accidents are the result of human error, but others are due to a failure to meet safety standards and provide workers with the tools, training, and resources they need. In 2015, OSHA found that live wiring and machinery violations were among the most common found on construction sites.
In these cases, the victims should not have to bear the pain and expenses of their injury alone. Employers and manufacturers need to be held accountable for their lack of vigilance or negligence on these construction sites and provide injured workers and bereaved families the relief they deserve.
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in an electrocution accident? If so, you may have legal options to seek compensation. At the Law Office of James M. Stanley, our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients who have been hurt due to the irresponsibility of others. We're ready to hear your story and assess your legal options.
Contact our firm today to get started.