Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others, a fact that people who work with electrical equipment are well aware of. Being safe while working on the job site should be every employee’s top priority, but sometimes it’s just not enough. Accidents do happen, even if every precaution is taken, and when you’re working with dangerous electrical equipment any accident can easily result in death. Thankfully, if you are injured while working on the job site you are entitled to full financial compensation from your employer, and if you are killed your family should be taken care of as well.
Electrical Injury and Fatality Statistics
Over a 5 year period studied by the Electrical Safety Foundation International, they found that 1,213 individuals were killed by an on the job accident that involved some form of electric current. Additionally, there were 13,150 workers who were so physically harmed from their injuries that they needed to take extended time off of work. Out of all the different kinds of electrical deaths, contact with overhead power lines was responsible for 43 percent of all work related electrical fatalities. In a direct contrast to that was their finding that only 2 percent of non-fatal electrical injuries were the result of contact with an overhead power line. This information shows how dangerous working with electrical equipment can be, with 98 percent of all workers injured by power lines dying from their injuries. It also shows the need for safety when working these jobs.
Remaining Safe While Working With Electrical Equipment
The statistics emphasize the point that these jobs require the workers to be extremely cautious while doing their jobs. Even more important is the need of these employers to properly train their employees, as many of the electrical deaths were found to have been preventable and the result of worker error. This shows that many companies are willing to hire untrained workers and throw them out on the job site without taking the responsibility of preparing them.
Compensation for Injuries on the Job Site
Any injury that happens on the job site is the responsibility of the employer, and even though they try their hardest to avoid paying, they have no choice but to compensate an injured worker or the family of a deceased one. Going through the process of filing an application and completing the paperwork can be difficult, especially for those who are healing from an injury. Sometimes, your best bet is to use an experienced attorney to help you receive the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Working with or around electrical currents is an extremely dangerous thing to do, especially when you take into account that many employers aren’t properly training the workers they have do these jobs. In a weak economy, many people are willing to take a job they know is dangerous rather than risk the unemployment line. This gives employers the advantage, knowing that the workers will not complain about being ill prepared to do the work. Thankfully, the employer is required by law to fully compensate any injuries that may occur on the job site.
If you or a loved one has suffered from electrical injuries or even death on the job site, seeking legal counsel is important for your claim.
Ginarte, O’Dwyer, Gonzalez, Gallardo & Winograd, LLP, is a team of legal professionals focused on electrical injury accidents occurring on New York and New Jersey job sites. For more information about electrical burn, injury and death visit www.Ginarte.com.
