The Dangers of Electrocution – What to do when injured

Getting shocked by any type of current can be unnerving. Indifferent of the voltage or amplitude, there can be severe tissue burning even underneath the skin. And if your feet are on a conductive surface (like a wet floor), the current may go through your heart and potentially kill you. If you are not at fault for your electrocution, then you can take legal recourse.

One good example would be a tiny spill of water on the supermarket floor (possibly from a melting bag of ice). It is common for store employees to plug in an old shop-vac to clear up the mess. But if the employee is pulled away for just a second, a frayed wiring can electrify the whole puddle. And although it is not a common accident, it is known that liquids and electrical devices make a dangerous combination.

Most of the times, the people getting injured are the employees and the visitors of manufacturing facilities or construction sites. Any unshielded high voltage device can create electrical arcs (which act somewhat like artificial lighting). In many cases, the current passing through the body is not the one that affects the body, but the temperature caused by the high voltage. In addition to this, the current can be powerful enough to ignite polyester and cotton, causing additional damage.

Not all people that are electrocuted file an injury claim. This happens because most people that get electrocuted are children, because they do not fully understand the dangers of electronic and electrical equipment/toys.

The first thing you should do if you were electrocuted is to get checked out by a doctor. Electrocution can cause numerous health problems, including:

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Internal injuries
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal and chest pain
• Burns
• Broken bones due to the violent muscle contractions
• Pain where the current enters and exits the body
• Cardiac arrest

The DC (direct current) is more dangerous than the AC (alternative current). AC current

DC current has no frequency and tends to lock you directly to the current source, and in the end, you can die slowly from respiratory failure. The AC, on the other hand, will seize up your muscles, but the current will switch cycles. This means that the current switches off momentarily and your muscles will react against the seizures, throwing you away from the source of the current.

Even if you’ve survived electrocution, the side-effects of such an event can last for years to come, affecting your life even if you undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Keep in mind that if you were electrocuted and it was not your fault, you have legal options of receiving compensation for what you’ve suffered. In addition to this, you will also receive compensation for treatment, medication, pain, and suffering, etc.

For more information about electrocution contact the best personal injury lawyer in the Maryland area.