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A Guide On Electric Shock Injury Claims
Learn about electric shock injury claims and how they help claimants to move forward.
£85 million in compensation
A Guide On Electric Shock Injury Claims
Learn about electric shock injury claims and how they help claimants to move forward.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Navigating Electric Shock Injury Claims
An electric shock can be a harrowing experience with the potential to have devastating consequences for those who experience it. In certain situations, this may lead to a claim for compensation if it can be shown that someone else’s negligence directly resulted in injuries being sustained in an accident. Such electric shock injury claims don’t erase what happened, but the compensation can help those affected to find closure and move forward with their lives.
Essential Information
- You may be eligible to claim if you can show that someone responsible for your safety caused your injuries.
- In some circumstances, it is possible to claim on behalf of someone else if they cannot seek personal injury compensation for themselves.
- Electric shock compensation can cover your physical and psychological suffering, as well as the financial losses associated with the injury.
- Common claims of this nature are made in relation to workplace accidents, wiring issues at home, or faulty products.
- If you’re eligible, one of our No Win No Fee solicitors could help you seek compensation.
Speak with an advisor today if you have any questions about the process. You can simply get in touch for general, straightforward advice. However, we also offer excellent initial services to help assess your case and potentially connect you to one of our solicitors.
Contact us using the information below:
- Submit an online form
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
Can I Make A Claim After An Electric Shock?
Yes, you may be eligible to make a claim after an electric shock if:
- A party owed a duty of care to you
- They failed to carry out their duty to you
- You sustained injuries from an electric shock as a result
A duty of care is a term that you may have heard before. Essentially, it refers to the legal responsibilities that an organisation or individual has towards others, including you. These obligations apply in a variety of situations, which we will outline in a later section.
Claiming On Behalf Of A Loved One
In certain circumstances, it is possible to claim on behalf of a loved one who suffered an electric shock injury if they are unable to seek compensation by themselves. That involves a loved one or other eligible adult (such as a solicitor) taking on the role of a litigation friend.
If you assumed this role, you would be required to represent the interests of the loved one to the best of your abilities. Those duties vary but can entail discussing the case with them and getting an idea of their wishes, if possible.
Fatal Electric Shock Claims
In fatal electric shock claims, certain relatives can seek compensation for the impact of a loved one’s passing. However, under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, the estate of the deceased is the only party that can start a claim during the first 6 months after death. This claim can include compensation for both the suffering that the deceased experienced before death, as well as the associated financial losses. As well, the estate can also claim on behalf of eligible family members.
If the estate doesn’t claim for them during the 6-month timeframe, then qualifying relatives may start a claim per the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (FAA). Those relations may include:
- A husband, wife, or civil partner (this can still apply if they are separated)
- A person who cohabited with the deceased for at least 2 years before the death
- A parent or step-parent
- A child or stepchild
- A sister, brother, aunt, or uncle and their children
For further details, please speak with an advisor. They can explain the eligibility criteria for making different types of electric shock injury claims and provide you with free, tailored guidance.
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How Much Compensation Can Be Awarded For Electric Shock Injury Claims?
- General damages will always be included in compensation for this type of claim. This is the part of the compensation that covers the suffering and pain you have experienced due to the injury. It may also account for potential future effects if you have yet to recover.
- Special damages are the compensation for the financial loss arising from your injuries. Those losses need to be provably connected to the injuries in order to be claimed for.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple very severe injuries and their associated costs | Very severe | Up to £1,000,000+ | Multiple very severe injuries with financial losses, such as a loss of income |
| Brain/head | Very severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | In the top end of bracket, the affected person may be able to follow some simple commands. However, they will need professional full-time care and will show little to no indication of meaningful environmental response or language capacity. |
| Moderately severe | £267,340 to £344,150 | The injury will leave a claimant very seriously disabled, with substantial reliance on others, together with a need for constant care from professionals and other individuals. | |
| Chest | Total removal of 1 lung and/or serious heart damage (a) | £122,850 to £183,190 | The claimant will experience a significant degree of persistent pain/suffering, coupled with significant, permanent scarring. |
| Traumatic injury impacting chest/lungs and/or heart (b) | £80,240 to £122,850 | Featuring function impairment, permanent damage, a physical disability, and reduced life expectancy. | |
| Scarring to the body | Burns covering 40% or more of the body | Likely to exceed £127,930 | The factors impacting compensation include how much of the body is impacted and the psychological effects. |
| Facial disfigurement | Very severe scarring | £36,340 to £118,790 | This bracket applies to young (usually teens/early 30s) claimants who experience a very disfiguring cosmetic effect and a psychological reaction that is severe. |
| Less severe scarring | £21,920 to £59,090 | Cases where disfigurement will be substantial, coupled with a psychological reaction that is severe. | |
| Significant scarring | £11,120 to £36,720 | The worse effects will either be reduced by cosmetic surgery or will be. There will be some degree of cosmetic disability with a psychological reaction that isn’t considered great (or has reduced to relatively minor levels having previously been considerable). |
What Factors Determine The Final Amount Of Electric Shock Compensation?
There is a range of factors that determine the final amount of electric shock compensation. As mentioned, you may be able to recover the financial losses that you suffered due to injury.
For example, you could claim for the following costs:
- Private medical treatments and prescriptions. For instance, you might need surgery to address nerve damage, or physiotherapy to restore muscle strength
- Travelling to and from medical appointments. You may even need to travel to a specialist facility that is far away from your home
- Adjustments to make your home liveable, such as handrails or a stairlift
- Specialist care from professionals or loved ones. That might involve help with daily activities
- Lost earnings if it is not possible to return to work in the short and/or long term
No matter what losses you claim for, you’ll need evidence documenting them. So, be sure to keep hold of proof like statements and invoices.
Should you have any questions about how compensation is calculated, you can speak with an advisor at any time. They can offer more tailored guidance that accounts for the nuanced specifics of your case. There’s nothing to lose for getting in touch, so please reach out today.
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We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
What Are Some Examples Of Injuries Caused By An Electric Shock?
Examples of injuries that can be caused by electric shocks include:
- Burns and scarring
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures and cardiac arrest
- Loss of consciousness
- Brain damage and paralysis
- Respiratory arrest
- Kidney failure
- Muscoskeletal issues
These injuries can vary in severity and impact your lifestyle in a variety of ways. Electric shock injury claims account for this, as each case assesses the unique experience of the affected individual.
Speak with our team today to discuss the specifics of your injuries.
How Might An Electric Shock Injury Be Sustained?
An electric shock injury might be sustained in a number of ways. Keep reading for some examples of the different electric shock injury claims that our specialist solicitors can take on.
Accident At Work Claims
Your employer is required to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety, health, and wellbeing in the workplace. For example, they should perform regular risk assessments to identify potential causes of harm. This duty of care is set out by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
So, you could be eligible to make an accident at work claim if:
- You experience an electric shock in your office workplace after coming into contact with an exposed live wire. Your employer was aware of the danger but took no steps to address the risk posed by the wire, such as cordoning it off or having it repaired. You suffer permanent brain damage as a direct result of the accident.
Accidents In A Public Place
When visiting public spaces, you are owed a duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This legislation outlines the need for an occupier (the person in charge of the space) to take practical steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors.
If an injury is caused by a failure to fulfil this duty of care, it may result in a public liability claim:
- While turning on the kettle in your hotel room, you suddenly experience an electric shock. The hotel manager had not organised regular maintenance checks on the electrical equipment available to guests. Due to this, the kettle was in serious disrepair and left you with severe burns all over your body.
Landlord Claims
Electrical shock injury claims are also often made in relation to accidents in the home. If you experience harm due to your landlord’s failure to meet the standards set by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you may be able to claim compensation. Keep reading for an example:
- You inform your private landlord that there is faulty wiring in the property. They ignore your repeated documented requests to have this checked. Subsequently, you experience a severe electric shock when turning on a light switch, causing you to go into cardiac arrest.
Defective Product Claims
The final type of claim we will outline is a defective product claim. Here, the key pieces of legislation to consider are the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (section 9) and the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Together, these mean that any goods sold must be of adequate quality. If they are not, you might be able to claim compensation if you suffer harm due to a faulty product.
You could start a personal injury claim of this nature if:
- A store sells you a pair of hair straighteners that they knew to be faulty. As a result, you are electrocuted while using them. This malfunction sends a shock down your whole body, leaving you with damage to the nerves in your spinal cord.
We understand that it may not always be clear whether your injury was a result of another party’s negligent actions. Fortunately, you can speak with a member of our advisory team today to share your circumstances and get a free case assessment.
What Do I Need To Make An Electric Shock Injury Claim?
You will need a strong body of evidence to make an electric shock injury claim. This proof should confirm your injuries and show how they were caused by another party breaching the duty of care they owed you. Examples of what you can provide to prove your case include:
- A copy of your medical records
- Photo of the injuries- not all injuries can be shown in this way, however, it can apply in situations where there is scarring and burns, for example
- CCTV footage of the incident
- Contact details of people who saw the electrocution- if you work with one of our solicitors, they can contact them and ask for witness statements
Time Limits For Electric Shock Injury Claims
Additionally, you will need to consider the time limits for initiating electric shock injury claims. Generally, the time limit for claims of this nature is 3 years from the date on which the incident occurred, as stipulated by the Limitation Act 1980.
However, some cases require a pause on the time limit if individuals are not able to make decisions for a claim themselves. Examples of when this applies include cases where the person is:
- Below the age of 18
- Mentally incapacitated
Once such individuals either reach the age of 18 or regain their mental abilities, the 3-year limitation period can begin. For those who regain capacity, that time limit takes effect from the date of recovery.
Alternatively, a litigation friend can help someone from these 2 categories pursue compensation while there is a pause. We discussed this role earlier in the guide, if you would like further details.
Speak with our advisors today to confirm how the legal time limit might apply to your case and what evidence you may need.
How Can A Conditional Fee Agreement Help Me?
A Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) can help you by protecting you from the prospect of solicitor fees spiralling out of control. This type of contract works on the basis of No Win No Fee and ensures you don’t pay any solicitor fees for the work done on your case:
- Before your personal injury claim begins
- While the case is proceeding
- If you do not receive compensation
Of course, the ultimate aim of the case is to get compensation. If your claim wins, you will be required to pay a success fee. This is a legally capped percentage of the compensation that you pay to your solicitor for their work. The cap ensures that you keep the largest share of the compensation for yourself.
Why Should I Make A Claim With JF Law?
You should make a claim with JF Law to gain access to the cutting-edge services offered by one of our expert solicitors. They will assist you at every stage of your personal injury claim and always work hard to ensure you never feel lost or unsupported.
While legal representation isn’t a prerequisite to seeking compensation, it can be immensely helpful when navigating the electric shock injury claims efficiently. Our solicitors particularly appreciate that clients may already have a lot on their plates, so they work hard to ease the strain for those they represent by:
- Negotiating your compensation total to include the different ways you have been impacted
- Handling communication with the defending party and representing your interests
- Helping you to gather the evidence that will strengthen your case and prove your losses
- Assisting you with an application for an interim payment, where appropriate- this refers to a payment that some claimants are eligible to receive before the complete settlement of a case
- Organising specialist support for your case, such as an independent medical assessment (this would not be organised without your prior consent)
- Regular updates and advice on the state of your case. Our solicitors prioritise open communication with the claimants that they represent
These services are built on a foundation of expertise, a proven track record of success, and years of training to hone their skills. That has already combined to help clients win over £80 million in compensation in claims across the country.
Get In Touch With Our Solicitors
You can contact our team of experienced advisors at any time to see if you can be put in touch with our expert solicitors. Whether you have a general enquiry or would like to find out whether our solicitors can represent you, they can help. We understand that making a claim is a big decision, so you can rest assured that you’ll get all the information and support you need about the process of seeking compensation.
- Submit an online form
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
More Information
Visit our other guides:
- Find out how to claim compensation for a chemical burn at work
- Learn about shoulder injury claims
- Read about eye injury at work claims
External links:
- Read advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about electrical injuries
- Visit the government’s guidance on electrical safety in rented properties
- Learn how to administer first aid
We appreciate the time you have taken to read our guide on electric shock injury claims.
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