Burn & Electrocution Injuries While Working in Southern Minnesota
If you suffered 3rd-degree burns, a chemical burn, or an electrocution injury at your workplace in Minnesota, you may need extensive medical treatment, and you may not be able to work. In many cases, the sustained injuries can leave you permanently disabled and in a significant amount of pain.
Injured workers who suffered burns and electrocution injuries are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Minnesota. Electrical injuries are not uncommon; they are typically preventable and nearly always accidental when they occur. The direct impact of electrical current, the transformation of electrical energy to thermal energy, and the addition of mechanical trauma can result in serious and life-threatening damage to the tissues and organs.
A news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that there were 5,333 fatal work injuries in 2019, up from 2 percent in 2018, and over 150 of the fatalities were due to the exposure of electricity. The highest risk of electrocution injuries and fatalities is generally with electricians and power line installers.
Construction trades that also experience an increasing rate of electrocution include the following:
- Heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians
- Roofers
- Laborers
Even if you do not work in one of the industries or trades that experiences high cases of electrocution and electrical incidents there is a good chance that electricity powers the majority of the work you do. Electricity is a dangerous and powerful force.
Injuries from electrocution can range from minor injuries to major injuries. An electrocution injury can impact the body in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Cardiac
- Neurologic
- Skin
- Vascular
- Musculoskeletal
Symptoms of Electrocution or other Electrical Injury
The symptoms that you may experience can heavily depend on how much electricity you contacted and how long the contact lasted. As mentioned previously, electricity can affect different parts of your body, including your skin. The four categories of burn depth are first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree.
There are terms used to describe the different types of burns:
- First-degree burns are categorized as superficial burns because there is no loss of our epidermis, but the skin becomes very dry and painful.
- Second-degree burns are categorized as partial-thickness burns. These burns are made up of superficial and partial-thickness burns. Changes in your pigmentation can occur, and there can be epidermis blisters and fluid leaks.
- Third-degree burns are the ones that are often talked about and will require skin grafting. Third-degree burns are categorized as full-thickness burns. The burn may not feel hurt because the burned skin is not able to feel anything.
- Fourth-degree burns involve damage to a person’s underlying structure, including the tendons and bones. This type of burn can result in a charred, disfigured extremity.
Additional symptoms of electrical injuries will depend on whether there have been any internal damages. Electrocution should never be taken lightly. If you have been injured due to an electrical incident, you should be monitored closely. If you have been electrocuted or burned at work, even if you believe the injury is minor, it is worth scheduling a consultation with a workplace injury lawyer to determine if you are eligible for compensation.
What Can Cause Burns?
As mentioned previously, electrical injuries can occur in a variety of industries. As a result, there are several causes of burns, including the following:
- Working in an unsafe environment(indoors and outdoors)
- Someone else’s negligence
- Defective tools or products
- Improperly handling explosives and/or flammables
- Manufacturing defects
We understand that when an electrical accident takes place, it can be difficult for everyone to remember what happened. It may not be easy to pinpoint the What, Why, When, Where. However, this does not mean you cannot be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. It does not matter what type of job you performed, if you suffered an electrocution injury or a burn injury, you should still seek medical attention and legal assistance.
Workers’ Compensation for Burn and Electrocution Injuries
When it comes to any electricity-related injury there is usually more than meets the eye. By now, you are aware of the well-known injuries they can cause. However, other types of injuries that can be a result of a burn or electrocution injury include:
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Vision loss
- Seizures
- Anxiety
Electrocution injuries can also have an impact on your cognitive functions, and this is one of the reasons why it can be a challenge to determine the extent of the injuries and how it is impacting you. During our time handling workers’ compensation cases, we have seen a variety of electrical-related injuries. These are not all cases when someone accidentally stepped on or touched a wire they believed was not live.
At Harvey & Carpenter, Attorneys at Law, we have seen electricity-related injuries occur in a variety of situations, including :
- Accidental touching or stepping on of a live wire
- The failure to communicate
- Incorrectly or improperly handling products
- Handling defective products
- Explosions
If you suffer an electricity-related injury at work, it is important to seek medical attention shortly after the injury because this will provide you with medical documentation. Even if you believe your injuries will not have a significant impact on your body, life, future, a medical professional will be able to diagnose the full scope of your electrocution.
Contact Harvey & Carpenter in Mankato, Minnesota If You’ve Been Injured
If you have suffered a burn or electrocution injury, it is important to understand all your rights under the law. An experienced law team that specializes in workers’ compensation can help you receive the benefits that you are entitled to in Minnesota. Our law team can ensure any offer you may receive from an insurance company is fair. The insurance company will have its team of experts, and it is important that you also have a team of experts on your side.
When you have been injured at work in a fire or electricity-related incident, you will still need to pay your expenses and bills, you will need medical treatment, and you will need to do this while taking time away from work. If you are ready to learn about your rights, your options, and how our team can help you, call 507-779-7529 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
