Electric shocks are a potential danger in any area where electric appliances or outlets are present. These surprising incidents can catch individuals by surprise and result in injuries sustained not only from the electrocution itself, but also from quick and erratic reactionary movements after the shock. Typically, these injuries occur on-the-job; however, many people also suffer accidental injuries from electricity at home.
Electric shocks can be either very minor, causing the individual to jump back from surprise but not sustain any lasting pain or effects, to extremely severe. In the worst cases, a person may die as a result of an electrocution. The severity of the incident is based on several different factors, including the following:
- The path that the electricity takes through the body
- The voltage or current level
- How long the body is exposed to the current
- The type of current
Should all of these aspects combine in a certain way, the result may be a fatality.
Common Injuries
Most commonly, victims of electric shock only feel a slight tingling, depending on the strength of the current. However, over 1,000 accidental deaths occur each year as a result of electric shock. As the shock increases in severity, the victim may sustain entrance and exit burns, inability to breathe, loss of consciousness, or even cardiac arrest. Clearly, electricity is a force that must be handled with the proper precautions in order to prevent such accidents and injuries from occurring.
Contact Us
If you have sustained an injury due to electric shock, or if you would like to know more about these accidents, please contact the Minneapolis personal injury attorneys of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen, P.L.L.C. today at 612-362-0000 to set up an appointment.
