Electrocuted at Work

Electrical burns and shocks can cause neurological damage, paralysis and death in the worst circumstances. Because of the danger, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) categorizes electrocution as a serious workplace hazard and has standards to protect employees. These are frightening and painful injuries. The recovery period may be long and require physical therapy.

Fortunately, workers’ compensation may cover your injury-related expenses. Our experienced attorneys offer compassionate support and expert legal protection. We care for our clients and work on a case-by-case basis and are ready to support you through your Florida workers’ compensation case. Please contact us for a free consultation.

Who Has a High Risk of Being Electrocuted at Work?

Generally, occupations in construction, utilities, and manufacturing have the highest incidents of electrocution, including:

• Electricians
• Power line installers
• Plumbers
• Ironworkers
• Transportation and material moving

According to OSHA, many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards in their workplace, making them more vulnerable. It cites the following as the most frequent causes of injuries: contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, path to ground missing or discontinuous, equipment not used in the manner prescribed, and improper use of extension and flexible cords.

What To Do After Being Electrocuted at Work 

If you’ve been electrocuted or been harmed by any other work accident, it is important to act quickly to protect your health and workers’ comp benefits. Electrical injuries can range from minor burns to life-threatening internal damage, and symptoms may not appear immediately. 

Here are the steps to take: 

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. Even if you feel fine, you should still be evaluated by a medical professional, as internal injuries or cardiac complications may not be immediately evident. 
• Notify Your Employer Promptly. After an electrocution injury at work, it’s essential to inform your employer as soon as possible. Florida law requires employees to report a workplace injury within 30 days of the incident—or from the date they first became aware the injury was work-related. This notification triggers your employer’s obligation to report the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within seven days, which starts the process of securing medical treatment and wage replacement benefits.  
• Document the Incident. If possible, document the scene, the source of the electrical hazard, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from any witnesses. This evidence can be critical if your claim is delayed or disputed. 
• Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney. Electrical injuries can lead to long-term complications, including neurological damage, chronic pain, and emotional distress. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure that you are fully compensated under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law for all benefits to which you are entitled. 

If you’ve suffered an electrocution at work, you don’t have to face this situation alone. Contact our firm today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the benefits you deserve.

What Kinds of Injuries Can Electrocution Cause?

As noted above, OSHA has implemented strict electrical standards, training and regulations to protect workers from injuries and deaths caused by electrocution.

Serious injuries include the following:

• Burns: Electrocution can cause burns across the body, particularly on the hands, arms, feet, and face. These burns can range from mild to severe depending on the voltage involved and can have long-term effects, including scarring and nerve damage.
• Cardiac Arrest: Electric shocks can cause heart failure leading to cardiac arrest. This can be fatal if not treated quickly.
• Respiratory Problems: Electric shock may cause breathing difficulty due to damage done to the respiratory system or other complications associated with electric shock, such as cardiac arrest or seizures.
• Nerve Damage: Electric shocks may cause nerve damage that can lead to numbness in limbs or other parts of the body, paralysis, muscle weakness or spasms, and difficulty with coordination and balance.

Florida as a No-Fault State

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning employers cannot deny a valid workers’ comp claim even if the accident was partially or wholly your fault. As such, you don’t need to prove fault to receive benefits. Further, as long as you were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your accident and you were not acting with malicious intent, your injury should be covered.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

A work injury causes costly damage to nearly every aspect of your life. Some of the benefits that workers’ compensation may pay you include:

• Your medical costs
• Bills for rehabilitation
• Prescription drugs
• A portion of your lost wages
• Travel expenses collected while pursuing treatment for your injuries
• Two-thirds of your average weekly salary, with a cap of $1,295 per week

With over 30 years of experience in this complex legal field, we’ll guide you step by step to ensure you get the full amount of workers comp you are owed.

Florida Workers’ Comp After Electrocution—What to Expect  

Florida’s no-fault workers’ compensation system generally provides benefits even if you were partially at fault, as long as the injury did not result from intoxication or malicious intent. You do not have to prove employer negligence to qualify.  

Covered Benefits  

Workers’ compensation benefits in Florida typically cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, prescription medications, mileage for travel to medical appointments, and a portion of lost wages, subject to statutory limits. 

In most cases, injured workers begin receiving Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits if they are unable to work at all due to their injuries. They are equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,295 per week as of January 1, 2025, in accordance with Florida law.  

TTD benefits continue until you reach maximum medical improvement or are cleared to return to work. Caps are adjusted annually. Our team helps ensure benefits are timely and complete. If there are issues, we can address them promptly.  

Disputes and Delays  

Unfortunately, disputes and delays frequently arise in workers’ compensation cases, but a Florida work injury lawyer can protect your rights. Insurance companies often use tactics to deny valid claims or downplay the extent of an injury. When you are represented by an experienced electrical injury attorney, insurers recognize that their usual strategies for delaying or minimizing claims are less likely to succeed, and more likely to engage in serious, good-faith negotiations. 

For example, some employers may misclassify injured workers as “independent contractors” rather than employees to avoid responsibility for providing workers’ compensation benefits. A skilled Florida workers’ compensation attorney can gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate you meet the criteria for employee, not independent contractor, status. 

Electrocution victims face a challenging road to recovery. At Berlin Law Firm, we will manage every aspect of your claim, working to ensure you receive the full benefits to which you are entitled — so you can focus on healing without the added burden of legal and financial stress.  

How Our Florida Workers’ Comp Attorneys Help 

Navigating the workers’ compensation system is often challenging. An experienced Florida work injury lawyer, such as any of the attorneys at Berlin Law Firm can provide the guidance and advocacy you need to move forward. 

Here is how our legal counsel can support you: 

Your attorney will begin by thoroughly evaluating your case to ensure that your injury is properly documented and clearly linked to your workplace duties. They will assist in gathering medical records, incident reports, and witness statements to build a compelling claim.  

If your employer or insurance carrier disputes the injury, undervalues your benefits, or delays necessary medical treatment, your attorney will advocate on your behalf, ensuring your rights under Florida law are fully protected. 

We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on recovery. From negotiating with insurers to representing you at hearings or appeals, our workers’ comp lawyers are your dedicated advocates every step of the way. 

At Berlin Law Firm, we can also identify potential third parties in your case (e.g., a worker sustains a job-related injury due to the negligence of a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or utility company) and recommend a personal injury lawyer if you have grounds. In these cases, a workers’ compensation attorney is invaluable in negotiating with the insurance carrier for the best possible outcome. 

Why Berlin Law Firm Is Qualified to Handle Electrocution Claims 

If you suffer catastrophic work injuries, Berlin Law Firm has over 65 years of collective experience in handling work-related accidents and injuries, including cases involving electrical shock and burns. We’ve recevered more than $100 million for our clients since 2016 and previously worked on the insurance side — experience that helps anticipate and counter insurance tactics and protect your right to benefits.  

Boardroom-to-Jobsite Perspective  

Electrical accident cases are often complex, and determining the cause requires technical knowledge. Our skilled electrical injury lawyers are well-versed in OSHA’s electrical safety standards and regulations.  

We understand how real-world failures, such as contact with live power lines, missing ground-fault protection, and improper equipment use, can lead to severe injuries. Our in-depth knowledge, ranging from the boardroom to the jobsite, strengthens both case documentation and negotiations.  

With offices in Tampa and Sarasota, and Spanish-speaking representation available, we are committed to serving injured workers across Florida. We handle workers’ comp electrical injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our team is here when serious workplace injuries disrupt your life. 

Meet Our Full Team of Attorneys

Contact Us at Berlin Law Firm for a Free Workers’ Comp Consultation

If you sustained injuries in the workplace due to electrocution, chances are you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, insurance companies use different strategies or methods to deny your claim or minimize the benefits you are entitled to receive.

At Berlin Law Firm, we are familiar with all these tactics and know how to fight back. If you’ve been injured on the job, we want to hear from you. Our team is attentive to your needs, experienced and proactive. Call our team today to learn about your options for free; there is no obligation to hire us. We also work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.