Electrical burns are serious injuries that are exceedingly painful, often have long-lasting consequences, and are slow to heal. Further, the accidents that cause electrical burns are typically extremely traumatic. These serious burns can happen in any number of ways, but they’re often caused by dangerous conditions on the job or by defective electrical products in the home. Whatever the cause, however, if you or someone you care about has suffered an electrical burn that was caused by the negligence of someone else, you need experienced legal counsel.
On the Job
Jobs like construction work that incorporate a lot of heavy electrical equipment and sources of electricity are closely associated with injuries from electrical burns. Construction sites are busy, dangerous places that incorporate a lot of moving parts. Electricity is, of course, an extremely dangerous element that must be carefully monitored on any worksite. When construction companies and their managers fail to maintain reasonably safe working conditions, they endanger their employees. Other jobs closely associated with electrical burns include cable repair and electrical repair. Worksite negligence is often the cause.Faulty Electrical Appliances and Products
We all employ so many electrical appliances and products throughout the course of our days that we usually don’t even give them much thought. When these products are dangerously designed, poorly manufactured, damaged, or flawed, they can cause dangerous electrical burns. Children, because they are prone to chewing on whatever it is they’re playing with and are incapable of exercising appropriate caution, are especially susceptible to such injuries.Electrical Burn Injuries
Electrical burns can be far more injurious than they initially appear. The Mayo Clinic reports that electrical burns can injure the underlying tissue and that the ensuing damage can be far worse than the skin’s outward appearance might indicate. Always take electrical burns very seriously and seek immediate medical attention.Take Immediate Action
The Mayo Clinic specifies the immediate action you should take while waiting for emergency help to arrive after an accident involving electricity:- Kill the electrical source if possible. If not, move the electrical source away from both you and the injured party by using a dry, nonconducting cardboard, plastic, or wood object.
- If the victim isn’t breathing, coughing, or moving, begin CPR.
- Help the victim not to become chilled (without allowing loose fibers to get near any open burns).
- Apply a sterile bandage to the open burn.
