Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represent electrocution injury victims in Modesto. If you or a loved one has suffered an electrocution injury while at work, the Modesto Workers’ Compensation Lawyers can help you recover the financial and medical damages you are owed. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Filing an Electrocution Injuries Workers’ Compensation Claim in Modesto
If you suffered electrocution injuries in Modesto, it is vital to report the incident to your employer the moment you become aware of your injury. If your employer does not learn about your injury within 30 days of it occurring, you could potentially be denied workers’ compensation. Here are the recommended steps for filing a workers’ compensation claim:
- Request a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1) from your employer. They’re required to give you one or send it via mail within one working day after your injury is reported.
- Fill out the form listed above to request benefits from the workers’ compensation program at your workplace. California law requires employers to provide their employees with workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries. When filling out your DWC 1 form, describe your illness or injury in great detail and fill out only the employee section of the form.
- Give the form back to your employer as soon as possible. Any delay in filing your workers’ compensation claim may have a negative impact on your claim.
Employer Safety Responsibility Under OSHA Law
In California, you have the right to request an OSHA inspection without the fear of employer discrimination. You can request that inspection here. Your employer is responsible for providing a safe working environment, meaning they are tasked with adhering to all the regulations that govern the company’s trade. Under OSHA law, your employer is responsible for the following:
- Providing a safe working environment, meaning they are tasked with adhering to all the regulations that govern the company’s work. An example would be a construction site. The owner would have the duty to follow all safety regulations relating to construction.
- Provide daily inspections on equipment and sections of the workplace that are prone to hazardous conditions to make sure they adhere to OSHA standards.
- Provide all employees with safety information. The employer should hang OSHA posters, labels, and other safety signs so that all employees have access to the information.
- Your employer needs to provide training so that employees can handle the daily tasks and are knowledgeable about how to deal with hazardous situations.
Common Electrocution Injuries in Workers’ Compensation Claims in Modesto
Electrocution happens when high-voltage electricity comes in direct contact with a person, causing an electric current to pass through their body. An electric current within the body can cause severe tissue damage, or interfere with the electrical signals that control the heart. In worse cases, a person’s muscles will tense up and make it difficult to let go of the electrical source, resulting in horrific bodily harm. Some of the most common electrocution injuries suffered at work include:
- Severe burns and shocks
- Internal organ damage or failure
- Limb amputation
- Heart failure
- Damage to the nervous system or muscle tissue
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
- Coma
Common Causes of Electrocution in Workers’ Compensation Claims in Modesto
Whenever a worker is handling an exposed wire or works near an electrical source, there is always a risk of electrical injury if proper safety precautions are not adhered to. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide safety training and safety gear to employees working near exposed, electrical currents. Workers should be provided with the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Heavy rubber gloves
- Rubber boots
- Helmets
- Masks
- Flash suits
- Voltage rated tools
- Safety glasses
Even with these proper precautions, electrocution injuries can still occur. Typically, when these accidents happen on a job site, someone acts carelessly or recklessly. The most common causes of workplace electrocutions include:
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment
- Wires left exposed in unnatural places
- Metal objects left in contact with power lines or electrical sources
- Unprotected contact with industrial equipment like welding torches
- Overloaded power supplies and extension chords
- Flooding near live wires, outlets, or other electrical equipment
If you were electrocuted at work for any reason, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In the state of California, even if you were at fault for your injuries, you can still collect workers’ compensation benefits. To better understand your right to compensation it is recommended to consult with an Electrocution Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Modesto.
Jobs with the Most Electrocution Injuries
Different types of employment come with specific risks. For some jobs, the threat of electrocution is always present and safety precautions must be adhered to at all times. The most common industries where electrocutions occur include:
- Electrical line workers: this profession involves the handling of high-voltage power lines and exposure to live electrical currents is very high in order for these workers to perform their daily duties.
- Electricians: these professionals install, wire, and troubleshoot our electrical systems. Their work is in the direct line of electrical currents, making them vulnerable to electrical shocks and severe burns.
- Power plant workers: complex machinery and intricate electrical systems found in power plants make these workers susceptible to electrocution.
- Construction workers: construction workers make up 44% of all on-the-job electrocution fatalities in the United States, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International. This is due to how often they rely on electrical tools for their work, as well as their proximity to electrical systems when performing construction.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an Electrocution Injuries Workers’ Compensation Claim in Modesto?
If you suffer an electrocution injury at work, your employer is required to provide you with workers’ compensation under California Labor Code Section 3700 in order to provide you with treatment and compensation while recovering from your injuries. However, not all workers’ compensation provides coverage. For example, depending on your circumstances, your electrocution injuries could require multiple surgeries, or even result in permanent disability. Workers’ Compensation may cover your treatment, but they may begin to deny treatment or reduce your benefits over time. This is unacceptable.
A Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Modesto can file a lawsuit against workers’ comp to ensure you receive ALL the benefits you are owed due to your injuries. Benefits provided by workers’ compensation include:
- Lifetime medical care: severe injuries sustained at work can result in treatment for the rest of one’s life, or for the duration of the injury.
- Temporary disability: temporary disability benefits pay for two-thirds of the gross (pre-tax) wages you lose while you are recovering from a job injury. This is paid by filing a workers’ compensation claim through your employer.
- Permanent disability: awarded to injured workers who are permanently unable to perform the normal work or activities they were capable of doing prior to the date of the injury. Monetary amounts for permanent disability vary on a case-by-case basis.
- Supplemental job displacement: if you are unable to return to your employment after you have been released by your treating physician, you may be entitled to receive a voucher that will be paid up to a school up to a certain amount, depending on your disability.
- Death benefits: in the result of a fatal accident at work, workers’ compensation pays qualifying dependents up to a maximum of #320,000 with up to $10,000 for burial expenses.
Contact an Electrocution Injuries Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Modesto
At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto, we recognize the risks of electrocution workers face every day to make a living and provide for their families. The damage an electrocution injury can do to a person’s livelihood is catastrophic, but there are legal options available to help you get financial and medical compensation. If your workers’ compensation has been inadequate at covering your medical bills or providing you with adequate compensation, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and let us help you get your life back. There are no upfront charges for our legal assistance and you won’t pay a cent unless we win your case.