A construction worker in San Jose was injured by an electrical shock and hospitalized in late September.
While digging near South Kiely Blvd. and Norwalk Drive, the construction crew hit an underground power line. The shock caused injuries to the 45-year-old man and the live wire trapped another worker inside a construction vehicle. He was able to escape once the electricity was shut off.
Electric Shock Statistics
Electrocution is the third most common cause of fatality on construction sites, landing it a spot in the often-spoke of “Construction Fatal Four”. Roughly 52 percent of occupational electrocutions occur in construction-related work.
According to the CDC’s NIOSH, electrical hazards cause more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries every year. Electrocution is the sixth most common cause of workplace fatalities in the country. The industries where workers are most at risk of electrocution are construction and installation/maintenance/repair.
Electric shocks can cause several different types of injuries, including ones that can lead to permanent disability. Heart damage, organ damage, vision problems, hearing loss, seizures, burns, and nerve damage are a few of these. Victims of these injuries may face expensive medical bills, lengthy recovery time, and potential pain and suffering. If you have suffered an electric shock at work and believe that negligence may have contributed to your injuries, speak to a work injury attorney. Our law firm offers free consultations for people who have been injured due to the negligence of others.