If you have been injured due to an electric shock and believe somebody else was at fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.
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Electric Shock Claims
If you suffered an electric shock due to someone else’s negligence or failure to keep you safe, you might be entitled to make an electric shock claim for injury compensation.
Electric shock injuries can range from minor burns, muscle spasms and scarring to severe outcomes such as cardiac arrest, permanent nerve damage and amputations. Common causes of electric shocks include faulty wiring, damaged equipment, defective appliances and exposed cables.
Whether you were injured at work, at home, in a public place, or in rented accommodation, a specialist solicitor may be able to help you claim compensation for your pain, suffering and any related financial losses.
To find out if you have a valid claim for electric shock compensation, call 0800 470 0472 to speak to a legal adviser. Alternatively, enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call back.
Key points about electric shock claims
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if you suffered an electric shock at work or in a public place due to negligence.
- Responsibility: Employers and property owners must maintain electrical systems and keep people safe from contact with live wires.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the accident to begin an electric shock compensation claim.
- Compensation: Can include payment for burns, nerve damage, psychological effects, and loss of income.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle the claim on a no win no fee basis, which means you only pay if the case is successful.
Table of Contents
What is an electric shock?
An electric shock occurs when electrical current flows through your body. This can happen when you come into contact with exposed wires, faulty appliances or other sources of electricity. The severity of an electric shock depends on:
- The type of current – AC is more dangerous than DC.
- The voltage – a higher voltage can cause more serious injuries.
- The duration of contact with the current.
- The path the current took through the body.
The symptoms of an electric shock injury can range from minor tingling or pain to severe burns, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties and cardiac arrest.
Can I claim compensation for an electric shock?
If you suffered an electric shock injury due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to claim compensation.
Usually, an electric shock injury claim should be possible if you meet the following criteria:
- Another party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty by acting negligently.
- Their negligence led to an electric shock accident.
- You suffered an injury as a direct result.
A specialist personal injury solicitor can let you know within minutes whether your case has merit and advise you on how to proceed with the claims process.
Who is responsible for an electric shock injury?
Liability to pay compensation for electric shocks can fall on different parties, depending on the accident circumstances:
- Ensure a safe working environment.
- Provide proper safety training.
- Maintain all electrical systems and equipment.
- Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Health and Safety Executive provides further guidance on electrical safety. If your employer fails in their duty of care and you experience an electric shock, you may be eligible to make an accident at work claim for compensation.
- Regularly inspect the premises.
- Promptly fix hazards such as faulty wiring and exposed cables.
- Clearly mark electric fences and other dangers.
If you were injured in a supermarket, shop, hotel, park or train station due to a breach of duty, you could make a public liability claim or a claim against the council.
- Defective electrical appliances.
- Faulty electrical work, such as improperly installed wiring.
- Landlord negligence, such as unsafe electrical systems, if you live in rented accommodation.
- Exposed or damaged wiring.
- Household appliances such as toasters and hairdryers.
- Power tools and other electrical equipment.
- Chargers and other electronic devices with faulty wiring.
How much compensation for electric shock injury claims?
In every personal injury claim, including for an electric shock accident, you can recover two types of damages:
Special damages for any financial losses and expenses directly caused by your injury, including:
- Medical expenses.
- Loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity.
- Costs of care and assistance.
- Mobility aids, prostheses and other medical devices.
- Counselling and physiotherapy.
General damages for the subjective impact on your daily life of the injuries caused by the electric shock, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Psychological damage and mental anguish.
- Physical injury, impairment and disability.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Loss of amenities.
To calculate a suitable award for general subjective losses such as pain and suffering, solicitors and insurance companies refer to the guidelines published by the Judicial College. Based on the 18th Edition of their guidelines and your specific circumstances, you could receive the following compensation:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Brain damage causing serious disability, substantial dependence on others and reduced life expectancy | £289,000 - £373,000 |
| Amputation Of Arms | Amputation of one arm above the elbow | £145,000 - £173,000 |
| Foot Injuries | A very severe foot injury causing permanent severe pain or serious disability | £111,000 - £145,000 |
| Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body | Significant burns covering at least 40% of the body | In excess of £138,000 |
| Chest Injuries | Traumatic chest, lung or heart injury with permanent damage and reduced life expectancy | £87,000 - £133,000 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Psychiatric damage significantly affecting life, education, work and relationships, but with a more optimistic prognosis | £25,000 - £72,000 |
| Finger Injuries | Severe finger fractures that may lead to partial amputation | Up to £49,000 |
Time limits to make an electric shock injury compensation claim
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years from the date of your accident to make a compensation claim. Exceptions include:
- You could make a child injury claim at any point before their 18th birthday. Afterwards, they will have another three years to start a claim independently.
- If the injured party lacks the mental capacity to start a claim due to a serious electric shock, the limitation period is put on hold until recovery. You could represent them as a litigation friend in the meantime.
- If you lost a loved one due to electrocution, you will have three years after their death to start a fatal accident claim.
How do I make an electric shock compensation claim?
If you were injured by an electric shock, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical care and gather as much evidence as possible related to the incident.
As early as possible, you should get in touch with a specialist solicitor who will let you know if you are entitled to compensation. If you can make a claim, they will prepare your case and contact the defendant to inform them of your allegations of negligence and the damages you seek.
If they admit liability, your solicitor will begin negotiating your electric shock compensation. If they deny it or you cannot agree on a settlement, you may need to take the claim to court.
In this case, a judge will review all the available evidence and decide liability and a suitable award for your damages. However, it is highly unlikely you will have to go to court, as more than 96% of all claims settle without a trial.
Can I claim for an electric shock using a no win no fee solicitor?
Yes. If you are eligible to make an electric shock accident claim, your solicitor will happily represent you under a no win no fee agreement. This means they take on the risk of working on your case without charging any upfront fees. Moreover, they only get paid if your claim is successful.
If you win the claim, you will pay a success fee to your solicitor. This fee is agreed upon from the beginning and cannot be more than 25% of the compensation for your injuries and past financial losses. If you lose, you will not have to pay a single penny out of pocket.
What evidence will I need to make an electric shock claim?
The details and information which will help your solicitor build a compelling electrical shock injury claim include:
- Photos of what caused your electric shock, such as exposed wires.
- Photographs of any visible injuries and your recovery.
- Medical records detailing the extent of your injuries and the treatments you received.
- Contact details of witnesses.
- A copy of a report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), if your injuries kept you from returning to work for more than seven consecutive days.
- A copy of an accident report filed with your employer or a private business.
- Testimonies about the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training you received at work.
- Evidence regarding the working practices and standards at your job.
- Details of any financial losses and expenses you incurred because of the electric shock injury.
What injuries can electric shocks cause?
Depending on the voltage, current type, path and duration of contact, an electric shock can cause various types of personal injuries, including:
- Burn injuries – Electrical currents heat the body tissue, which may cause deep burns that may result in permanent scarring and disability.
- Muscle spasms – When an electrical current passes through the body, it may cause sudden and violent muscle contractions that may prevent the person from letting go of the electrical source.
- Bone fractures and dislocations – Caused by powerful muscle spasms or falls following the shock.
- Cardiac arrest – Electrical currents can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and stop it from pumping blood, which can be fatal.
- Damage to the nervous system – Such as pain, tingling or numbness, or long-term loss of movement.
- Seizures – If the current affects the central nervous system, it may cause a seizure, loss of consciousness, confusion and uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Breathing difficulties – High-voltage electric shocks may affect the central respiratory control system and lead to respiratory arrest and even death.
Some other symptoms and injuries you may experience after an electric shock include:
- Headaches.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Problems with vision or hearing.
- Internal burns.
- Amputations due to severe burns.
- Scarring.
- Damage to the urinary system.
- Psychological damage, such as PTSD.
The NHS provides guidance on what to do if someone has an electric shock to help them while keeping yourself safe.
What are common causes of electric shock injuries at work?
Electric shocks at work can occur due to various types of employer negligence and workplace hazards, including:
- Faulty or poorly maintained equipment.
- Faulty wiring and improper earthing.
- Exposed or damaged wiring.
- A lack of risk assessments when carrying out electrical work.
- Poor maintenance of equipment and machinery.
- A lack of training when working with or near electricity.
- A lack of safety equipment, such as insulating gloves and non-conductive shoes.
- Contact of electrical equipment with water or other liquids.
- Failure to install electrical hazard warning signs.
What jobs are most at risk of electric shock injuries?
An electric shock injury can occur in almost any workplace due to faulty electrical equipment, lack of training or poor maintenance. However, electric shock claims are more common in certain occupations, including:
- Electricians.
- Construction workers.
- Catering staff.
- Hairdressers.
- Mechanics and engineers.
- Firefighters.
- Maintenance workers and cleaners.
- Hospital and care home staff.
To find out if you have a valid electric shock injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation with a legal adviser. Alternatively, you can enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call back.
