Chicago Electrocution Lawyer

Seeking Maximum Financial Compensation for Chicago Electrical Accidents

Our Chicago electrocution lawyer team fights hard for electrical accident victims, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their serious injuries. With our award-winning personal injury law firm, you can expect fierce advocacy, aggressive negotiation, and comprehensive legal support. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.

Electrocution Accident Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

• $10,500,000: Sanjit, a construction worker, suffered serious electrical burns after an aerial lift came into contact with overhead power lines.
• $3,045,000: Tyler, a chemical plant manager, suffered electrical injuries caused by using a frayed electrical cord.

Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Electrocution Case?

Our personal injury firm is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, thanks to securing over $490 million in settlements over the past 25 years. Our firm commitment to our clients has earned us the Super Lawyers® distinction as well as a 10/10 AVVO rating. With our firm, you can expect aggressive negotiation and top-notch trial representation, always offered on a contingency basis.

Types of Electrical Accidents We Handle in Chicago

Contact with Power Lines and Exposed Wires

48.2% of all electrical-related workplace fatalities are the result of contact with overhead power lines, while an additional 19.3% came from unexpected electrical contact.

Accidents from Defective Equipment or Machinery

Faulty wiring or defective electrical equipment is another major source of workplace injuries. This can be due to old wiring, poorly designed heated swimming pools, or broken machinery.

Electrical Accidents on a Chicago Construction Site

Construction workers face numerous hazards in the course of their work, but direct contact with electrical sources is one of the most significant and potentially deadly risks. One common issue is when aerial lifts or cranes come into contact with energized power lines, or when workers are repairing or servicing energized equipment.

What Are the Most Common Causes of a Chicago Electrocution?

Common causes of electrical accidents include:

• Contact with power lines
• Faulty wiring
• Downed power lines
• Improper grounding of electrical equipment
• Using electrical appliances near water
• Improper use of extension cords
• Inadequate workplace safety procedures

Common Catastrophic Injuries from an Electric Shock

Severe Electrical Burns and Internal Damage

When an electric current passes through the body, it can cause both skin burns and internal injuries. These can include nerve damage, muscle damage, and kidney damage. In some cases, internal damage can occur even without external injuries, such as burns.

How an Electric Shock Can Cause Cardiac Arrest

Electrical accidents can cause a heart attack because an external electric current disrupts the heart’s natural electrical impulses. In some cases, the current “depolarizes” certain areas of the heart, meaning that they stop responding to the correct electrical rhythm, while other parts may be unaffected. This results in fibrillation, which can be fatal.

Secondary Trauma Resulting in Brain Injuries

Some people suffer from what is called post-electric shock syndrome, which can persist long after the electrical accident. This is due to the electrical shock damaging the nervous system and brain. A study in PLoS One found that electrical accident victims were more likely to suffer from seizures, migraines, vertigo, and abnormal movements.

What Is the Average Electrocution Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average settlement for electrocution injuries is $3,994,081. Your specific settlement will vary based on the severity of your electrical injuries, your medical expenses, the available evidence, and insurance limits.

Example Electric Shock Cases in Chicago

In 2015, the family of construction worker Jesus Cisneros received a $1,150,000.00 settlement after he was electrocuted while using a spatula to scrape away excess mortar. The metal spatula made direct contact with a 12,000-volt power line, and Cisneros fell. He died of electrocution injuries and a fractured skull.

Another wrongful death case, settled in the Circuit Court of Cook County, awarded $10,000,000.00 to three families who lost their loved ones in a train yard accident. One man was operating a crane when it made contact with power lines. As the ground was wet, the powerful electrical current created a “hot zone” around the crane that killed the other two men.

What Damages Can Electrical Accident Victims Recover in Illinois?

You may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, which can include:

• Medical expenses
• Out-of-pocket medical bills
• Reconstructive surgery and therapy
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Burial and funeral expenses for wrongful death
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship for wrongful death

If your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial, the jury may issue punitive damages, which are meant to punish the perpetrator. These are only awarded in court and are reserved for cases involving wanton or reckless disregard for a person’s safety.

Your Legal Options

Depending on the circumstances around the Chicago electrocution accident, you may pursue a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party personal injury lawsuit.

In Illinois, companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for workplace injuries caused by employment-related tasks (820 ILCS 305/). Injured workers will be compensated for medical expenses and can receive a portion of their lost wages.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so it does not matter whether safety rules were broken. You only must prove that you were injured while completing your duties for your employer, such as fixing equipment at a construction site.

In contrast, a personal injury lawsuit requires you to prove that someone else’s negligence was wholly or primarily responsible for your electrical injuries. You must show a preponderance of evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that the defendant was responsible for the electrical accident. While a personal injury claim may result in additional compensation, it can also take longer and requires a more thorough investigation.

Who Is Liable for Chicago Electrocution Accidents?

Our attorneys can hold a number of parties accountable for electrocution injuries, including the following.

Individuals: We can recover compensation from individuals, such as electricians and contractors, who improperly installed electric devices or power lines. If a fellow worker was responsible for the accident, they may be subject to a third-party liability suit.

Construction Companies: Construction workers can pursue workers’ compensation for electrical accidents, while other individuals can sue the company for electrocution accidents at a construction site.

Property Owners: Landlords, homeowners, and business owners have a responsibility to prevent electrical accidents by maintaining their infrastructure, removing faulty lines, and safeguarding equipment. If they fail to do so, we can hold them responsible.

Manufacturers: In some cases, faulty products are responsible for electrocution injuries. This may be due to improperly installed wires, ungrounded equipment, or inadequate ventilation. We can hold the manufacturer responsible through a product liability suit.

Third Parties: General contractors, temporary workers, vendors, and other individuals may all be held liable for electrical accidents.

Utility Companies: In some cases, utility companies like Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) are liable for electrical accidents. For example, they may have failed to trim trees near power lines, resulting in the tree becoming energized, or they may not have properly insulated wiring, which could electrocute passersby.

Illinois Laws and Deadlines for Filing Electrocution Claims

The Illinois Municipal Code authorizes municipalities to inspect and approve all electrical equipment and installations in their cities (65 ILCS 5/11-37-1).

According to this law, Chicago has adopted the National Electrical Code, which establishes standards for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of electric infrastructure and equipment (Title 14E). If a property owner or construction site manager failed to comply with the National Electrical Code, they can be held liable for negligence.

The circumstances of the electrical accident will be a crucial consideration in a personal injury lawsuit. In Genaust v. Illinois Power Co., the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that power companies and property owners are not required to warn users of an open and obvious hazard, such as a high-voltage power line. It is considered common knowledge that electricity is dangerous, and as such, it must be demonstrated that the defendant failed to protect individuals from this obvious hazard.

Those who want to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit have two years to file (735 ILCS 5/13-202), while a workers’ compensation claim has a three-year statute of limitations (820 ILCS 305/).

How to Strengthen Your Injury Claim After an Electric Shock

Your actions after an electrical accident can have a significant impact on whether you can secure compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

Shut Off the Electrical Current: Always turn off the current to any devices in the area; otherwise, others may be electrocuted when trying to help you.

Call 911: Inform the dispatcher of your specific location, such as near Navy Pier. Request that the Chicago Police Department and EMS be dispatched to assist. You should ensure that the police make a report of the injury claim.

Get Medical Treatment: Electrical accidents can result in serious injuries, including burns and cardiac arrhythmia. Visit a top-rated hospital, such as Loyola University Medical Center, for immediate assistance.

Report the Accident to a Supervisor: If you want to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must inform your employer within 45 days of the accident (820 ILCS 305/). While a verbal statement is enough, you should get this in writing so that you can confirm it was filed properly.

Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the accident scene. You should gather all your pay stubs showing lost wages and keep your medical bills as proof. Write down treatment plans and collect your medical records.

Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters will use anything you say against you as proof that you do not deserve compensation. Never speak to third parties without your attorney present.

Contact Personal Injury Attorneys: Working with a law firm is one of the best ways to ensure you receive maximum compensation. You can call us for a free initial consultation about your legal options.

How Our Chicago Electrocution Lawyer Can Help Your Case

Our personal injury law firm can assist you with every aspect of Chicago electrocution accidents, including the following tasks.

Evaluate Damages: Insurance companies will do everything possible to reduce your compensation, including lowballing your settlement offer. Using our experience, we will accurately calculate your damages.

Investigate the Electrical Accident: Our legal team will thoroughly review the case to identify liable parties and determine what type of case you have under Illinois tort law.

Gather Evidence of Liability: We will collect witness statements, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and inspection reports to determine the cause of the electrical accident. We’ll also consult with expert witnesses who can provide further insight into the circumstances.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies: We aggressively negotiate with insurance agencies based on our 100 years of combined legal experience. This ensures you receive the highest possible compensation based on your injuries.

Represent Electrocution Victims and Their Families at Trial: Although we often settle out of court, in some cases, the insurance agency refuses to provide fair compensation. Our law firm is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, boasting a peerless record in the courtroom. We will present the evidence of the electrical accident, giving you the best possible chance of a positive verdict.

FAQs

How Much Does an Electrocution Lawyer Cost?

Our Chicago electrical accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are deducted from your settlement. You pay nothing unless we earn you compensation.

Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Lawsuit Against a Third Party?

Yes, but you cannot sue your employer for additional compensation beyond your workers’ compensation claim. You can only file a personal injury lawsuit against a party other than your employer, such as a utility company or property owner.

What Is the Difference Between an Electric Shock and a Chicago Electrocution?

An electrical shock injury happens when a high voltage passes through the human body. The serious injuries caused by electrical shock include electrical burns, cardiac arrest, and muscle damage. Victims may also suffer from neurological issues after electrical injuries, called post-electrical shock syndrome.

An electrocution incident is a fatal event, such as a heart attack or stroke. In some cases, the victim falls and fractures their skull, resulting in death.

Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today

Our top-rated Chicago electrical accident lawyers are passionate about protecting workers and holding negligent parties accountable for electrical accidents. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we earn you compensation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced shock injury attorney.