Suffering electrical burn injuries at work can change your life in seconds. Beyond the intense pain and medical treatment, you may be facing time off work, long-term nerve damage, or scarring that affects your ability to earn a living. Knowing your rights after an on-the-job shock is critical—and Connelly Law is here to help you understand what to do next.
How Do Electrical Burn Injuries Happen at Work?
Electrical injuries can occur in almost any workplace, not just construction or industrial sites. Common causes include:
- Exposed or damaged wiring
- Faulty tools, machinery, or extension cords
- Wet conditions around electrical equipment
- Poorly maintained electrical panels or outlets
- Lack of lockout/tagout procedures during repairs
- Inadequate training or safety gear
Sometimes the fault lies with an employer who cut corners on safety. Other times, a third party—like an equipment manufacturer or outside contractor—may share responsibility. Part of Connelly Law’s job is to sort out who can be held legally accountable.
Types of Electrical Burn Injuries
Not all electrical burns look the same. Some may appear minor on the surface but cause serious internal damage.
Common types include:
- Thermal burns – Caused when electricity ignites clothing, tools, or nearby materials, leading to fire or intense heat.
- True electrical burns – Occur when electric current passes through the body, causing deep tissue damage along the path of entry and exit.
- Flash burns – Result from an electrical arc or explosion, which can burn skin without direct contact.
- Secondary injuries – Falls from ladders or platforms after a shock can cause fractures, head injuries, or spinal damage in addition to burns.
Because these injuries can affect skin, muscles, nerves, and even the heart, prompt medical evaluation is non-negotiable—no matter how “small” the burn may seem.
Immediate Steps to Take After an On-the-Job Shock
Your health and your legal case both depend on what you do right after the incident:
- Get emergency medical care.
Call 911 or seek immediate treatment. Electrical injuries can disrupt heart rhythm and damage internal organs, even when external burns look minor. - Report the incident to your employer.
Provide written notice as soon as you can. This creates a record for workers’ compensation and any future legal claims. - Document everything.
- Take photos of the accident scene, your burns, and any damaged equipment.
- Write down what you were doing, who was there, and what went wrong.
- Keep copies of medical records, time-off slips, and bills.
- Avoid giving detailed statements to insurers without legal advice.
Insurance adjusters work to limit payouts. Speak with Connelly Law before signing anything or giving recorded statements. - Follow medical instructions.
Attend all follow-up appointments and keep receipts for prescriptions, bandages, and other expenses.
What Compensation Could You Be Entitled To?
After workplace electrical burn injuries, you may have more than one path to compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
In many cases, your first source of recovery is workers’ compensation, which may include:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- A portion of lost wages while you are unable to work
- Disability benefits if you cannot return to the same job
Workers’ comp is typically a no-fault system: you usually do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to get basic benefits.
Personal Injury or Third-Party Claims
You may also have a separate personal injury claim if someone other than your employer contributed to your injuries—for example:
- A manufacturer that sold defective electrical tools or equipment
- A property owner who failed to maintain safe electrical systems
- An outside contractor that performed unsafe electrical work
These claims can allow recovery for damages that workers’ comp does not fully cover, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and future reduced earning capacity.
Connelly Law evaluates every case to determine whether both workers’ compensation and third-party claims are available so you don’t leave money on the table.
Proving Fault in an Electrical Burn Case
To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must show that someone’s negligence caused your injuries. Evidence may include:
- Safety reports and OSHA violations
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Photos and videos of the worksite
- Witness statements from coworkers or supervisors
- Expert testimony from electrical engineers or safety professionals
Our legal team can work with experts and investigators to reconstruct what happened and identify every responsible party. For more background on electrical safety standards, you can review the OSHA electrical safety guidelines.
Long-Term Impact of Electrical Burn Injuries
Electrical burns often require:
- Multiple surgeries, including skin grafts
- Long hospital stays or time in burn units
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Psychological counseling for trauma or disfigurement
You may also face permanent scarring, nerve damage, chronic pain, or difficulty using your hands, arms, or legs. A fair settlement or verdict should account not only for today’s bills but for future medical needs, lost earning power, and the emotional toll of your injuries.
Why Contact Connelly Law After an Electrical Burn at Work?
Handling an electrical burn injury case alone is overwhelming—especially while trying to heal. When you contact Connelly Law, we can:
- Explain your rights under workers’ compensation and personal injury law
- Coordinate with your doctors to understand the full extent of your injuries
- Deal with insurance companies so you don’t have to
- Calculate the true value of your claim, including future losses
- Negotiate aggressively and, when needed, take your case to court
To learn more about how we handle workplace cases, you can read our workplace injury claims page.
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Rights
If you or a loved one suffered electrical burn injuries while on the job, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. The sooner you speak with Connelly Law, the sooner we can preserve evidence, protect your claim, and pursue the financial recovery you need to move forward.