Electric Shock and Electrocution

Due to the nature of the work, those who are employed offshore are often exposed to hazardous situations that can leave them vulnerable to serious and debilitating injuries. In some cases, this could be a crush injury from heavy machinery or could be a spinal injury from falling on a slippery deck. The danger that an offshore worker faces, however, is never more prominent than when working around electricity. During the course of their work, it is not unlikely that an offshore worker will be exposed to wiring and general electrical equipment. Should this wiring be exposed or if they otherwise come into contact with the electricity, the results can be devastating - resulting in everything from scarring to heart arrhythmia, brain damage, burns and the loss of consciousness.

Maritime Lawyer: Protecting Offshore Accident Victims

The wet conditions in which maritime workers are often placed can only worsen situations involving electricity . It is well known that water is a conductor for electricity; however, what most people don't realize is that seawater is also corrosive and can wear away at electrical equipment and wiring. When this occurs or should there be an electrical short or an improperly grounded connection, the offshore worker can suffer from a severe electrical shock. Beyond that, it is important to note that the wet conditions can also affect the intensity of the burn as wet skin is less resistant to electricity as opposed to dry skin.

There are few injuries that can cause as severe of injuries as those relating to electric shock. Depending on the type of the electric current, the duration, the voltage of the source and the pathway of the shock, the injuries can range from minor to severe - and could perhaps even be fatal. In most situations, a maritime worker who has been electrocuted will not have been exposed to the low voltage that is often found in household situations, but rather but the high voltage more commonly found in industrial settings.

In many situations, the victim of the electrocution will have severe burns at the places where the point of contact was made. These are often a primary source of concern in regards to medical treatment and will require immediate care to dress the wound. If the burn is severe enough, it could possibly require surgery or even a skin graft; if past the point of severity where this will be adequate treatment, it could even require amputation of the burned area. Regardless, someone who has suffered from electrical shock should not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention to help address all injuries.

Why contact an offshore electrocution attorney?

If you or a loved one have recently been electrocuted while working offshore, then you likely have grounds to file a claim. We at Arnold & Itkin, LLP have proven time and time again that we can be trusted to help you protected your legal rights in the wake of an electric accident. If the accident occurred because of negligence in upholding safety standards or failure to properly train the crew in handling dangerous equipment, then the employer should be held liable for the injuries. You can be confident knowing that should you choose to work with a maritime attorney at our firm that we will do everything that we can to help you maximize your recovery and seek the full financial compensation that you deserve. Call today to learn more.

If you have suffered from electric shock while working offshore, it is in your best interests to contact a Jones Act lawyer from our firm to help explain to you all of your rights.