Florida Electrocution Accident Lawyer

Our Florida Attorneys Can Pursue Damages After an Electrical Accident

Under Florida law, most, if not all, construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits after a job-related injury. Some are also entitled to compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Despite this, many insurance companies try to get away with paying as little as possible by:

• Offering a very small amount that does not cover everything you need
• Arguing that your injuries are not work-related
• Stopping your benefits before you are fully recovered and ready to go back to work

The Florida electrocution accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rosenberg know how to fight back against these tactics and pursue the damages you need.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Electrocution or Electric Shock

Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys can file a claim on your behalf and handle any difficulties along the way, including denials or slow communication from the insurer. With our assistance, you can recover fair compensation for:

• Medical care. Our legal team can gather medical records and statements from medical experts to prove you are entitled to full coverage for all accident-related care.
• Disability: You may be eligible for payments based on how severe your injuries are, with permanent total disabilities generally being worth the most.
• Loss of wages: The work injury attorneys at our firm can pursue up to 66 2/3 percent of your normal wages.
• Death benefits: If your loved one did not survive, we are sorry for your loss. Our Florida wrongful death lawyers can seek damages for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and even certain educational expenses.

To qualify for workers’ compensation, you must report your construction site accident to your employer promptly. Your employer should then file a claim on your behalf. If they do not, the legal representatives at our Florida law firm can do the filing.

When Can You Sue After a Workplace Electric Shock Injury?

That depends on whether negligence played a role in the accident and, if so, whose negligence contributed to your injuries. You only have the right to file a lawsuit if a third party exhibited careless or reckless behavior. For example:

• The company that your employer rented equipment from concealed a critical flaw with the equipment. Our legal team can help you sue the rental company.
• You complained about unsafe work conditions, but the property owner did nothing to address the issue. We can take legal action against the owner for failing to ensure worker safety.
• Your employer delayed replacing aging safety equipment. You probably cannot sue them because their workers’ compensation insurance protects employers against most lawsuits.

A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit could entitle you to more damages than are available through workers’ compensation. The electrical injury lawyers at Rosenberg & Rosenberg can sue for:

• Whatever workers’ comp does not cover, including the remainder of your lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life

If your loved one passed away, you could qualify for loss of financial support and loss of companionship or guidance.

Your losses are not your fault, and your family deserves help in handling the burden that this accident has placed on your shoulders. Our electrical accident attorneys are proud to represent Florida workers, giving families like yours the necessary time and space to process what has happened.

What Is the Difference Between Electrocution and Electric Shock?

The main difference is in the lethality of the accident: an electrocution is a fatal injury, while an electric shock is not fatal. Legally, accident victims in both cases share the same rights, including the right to:

• File a workers’ compensation claim
• File a personal injury case against any and all liable parties
• Hire our construction accident attorneys in Florida to represent them in all legal matters

Call Rosenberg & Rosenberg today for a free case assessment. Our construction accident clients pay nothing until we get compensation for them. We also employ staff members who speak Spanish and Creole because we believe that language should not pose a barrier to getting the legal help you want.

Causes of Electrical Accidents in the Construction Industry

When a person is exposed to a strong electrical current, it can flow through a large portion of their body, entering at the exposure site and exiting through another electrical pathway or a grounded surface. The higher the voltage and the longer the exposure, the more damage the shock may cause.

The most common ways construction workers suffer electric shock and electrocution injuries are:

• Coming into contact with power lines – Construction companies sometimes fail to ask the utility installer to label the power lines before construction begins.
• Lack of ground-fault protection – This type of protection is used to prevent exposed wires, short circuits, and cracks in the insulation.
• Lack of equipment maintenance – Workers can suffer electrocution injuries caused by malfunctioning construction machinery or equipment. Equipment may break down or stop working properly if it is not serviced regularly or replaced when it gets old. 
• Interruption in electrical flow – Sources of electricity must be grounded to prevent the current from traveling elsewhere.

How You Can Help Prevent Electrocutions in Florida

Accidents like those described above are not inevitable consequences of working in construction. When everyone at or involved in a site works together carefully and with concern for others at top of mind, many electrical injuries—and much unnecessary suffering—can be prevented.

You can make your workplace safer by:

• Observing all required safety procedures and proper lock-out/tagout practices
• Familiarizing yourself with safety standards regarding electrical and protective equipment set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Photographing or otherwise documenting workplace hazards and informing your supervisor of these hazards
• Reporting safety violations and/or workplace injuries to the nearest OSHA office (there are five in Florida, including one in Fort Lauderdale)

Our Law Firm Wants to Make Florida Workers Safer

If you or someone you love has already suffered an injury, Rosenberg & Rosenberg is here to help. We take over all day-to-day legal tasks while leaving the big decisions—including when and if to accept a settlement offer—up to you. You can depend on us to keep you updated and informed as your case progresses.

Our firm is committed to making our community better and safer for everyone. Allow us to represent you in your legal action, whether that means filing a workers’ compensation claim or suing an at-fault party.

How Common Are Workplace Electrical Accidents?

According to OSHA:

• Sixty-five workers in the United States were hospitalized after direct exposure to greater than 220 volts in 2022.
• An additional seven workers were hospitalized due to direct exposure to 220 volts or less.
• Of these 72 injured workers, 14 were in Florida. That means almost 20 percent of all hospitalizations resulting from direct exposure to electricity in the workplace occurred in our state.
• Indirect exposure to electricity is also very dangerous, with 27 workers, including four in Florida, sustaining serious injuries due to such exposure in 2022.

Victims of electric shock often suffer burns, cardiovascular issues, neurological issues, and even fractured or broken bones from falling or being thrown from an electric power source. There are many cases where survivors need to be treated for the remainder of their lives—or where the accident is so serious it results in electrocution and death.

If you are in this situation, we recommend you speak to one of our Florida personal injury lawyers for help pursuing maximum compensation. You do not want to be stuck paying for bills and expenses that someone else is legally liable for.

Our Lawyers Are Ready to Help You After a Florida Electrocution Accident

Our Florida electrocution accident attorneys can investigate your injury, collect evidence, and determine all available legal options for pursuing fair compensation. We understand that accidents can happen at any time, which is why our legal team is available 24/7 to listen to your account of the injury.

Electrical accidents are devastating, but you do have options. Let us help you find a way forward if you have been injured. Rosenberg & Rosenberg is here to file or sue for damages on your behalf so you do not have to handle the legal process alone. Call us for your free consultation.