Employers are legally required to protect you at work. If you suffered an electric shock injury at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Electric shocks can happen in any workplace where electrical systems or equipment aren’t properly maintained. Employers must ensure safe working conditions, and when they fail to put the proper precautions in place, employees can be put at risk of serious injury.

Electric shock accidents, including electrical burns at work, can lead to life-changing physical and emotional effects, as well as financial pressure if you’re unable to work.

We understand how disruptive these injuries can be and the strain they can place on your day-to-day life.

If you’ve suffered an electric shock injury at work, speak to our specialist accident at work solicitors today to start a no win no fee claim for compensation.

When can I claim compensation for an electric shock at work?

You can claim compensation for an electric shock at work if you’ve been injured and your injuries were caused by your employer’s negligence.

In most cases, you will have up to three years from the date of your accident to start your claim.

UK law requires all employers to have a legal responsibility for the safety of their staff. This includes following the guidelines set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

If your employer has not followed these guidelines to provide a safe working environment, they may have failed in their duty of care.

In relation to electrical equipment, their duty of care may be classed as negligent if, for example:

• You were exposed to faulty electrical wiring within your workspace.
• Your employer failed to conduct regular PAT tests on electrical devices.
• You were asked to work on electrical installations and equipment without the necessary training or qualifications
• You were instructed or were exposed to using an electrical product or equipment that was faulty, or had not been adequately maintained
• You were not provided with personal protective equipment when appropriate.

How much compensation can I claim for an injury caused by an electric shock?

The amount of compensation you may be able to claim for an electric shock will depend on how severe your injuries are and how they may have affected your life.

As the circumstances of each claim are unique, there is no average compensation amount for an injury caused by electric shock.

Unfortunately, some injuries caused by electric shock can be severe and long-lasting. In these cases, compensation can be above £150,000.

Compensation amounts for electric shock injuries are calculated by combining the amounts you may be legally entitled to for general and special damages.

The amount of compensation you can claim for general damages will depend on the part of your body you have injured, the severity of your injuries and the pain, suffering and loss of amenity you may have experienced.

General damages are calculated from the Judicial College Guidelines. These guidelines are used as a reference point for accurately valuing the amount of compensation you may be legally entitled to claim.

Additionally, you can claim compensation for special damages, which includes the loss of income and expenses you may have incurred because of your injuries.

The amount of compensation you may receive for special damages may include, but is not limited to:

• Any loss of income or potential future income, including pensions
• Any medical costs associated with your injury, including rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment
• Any costs related to adaptations you may need to make to your home
• Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if a family member or friend provides this.
• Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred.
• Any travel and motor expenses, including the cost of travel to and from appointments and parking costs.

What is the time limit to make a claim for electric shock?

When claiming for an electric shock, you have up to three years from the date the accident occurred or three years from the date a medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start your claim.

The three-year time period is set by the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are some exceptions. These include:

The three-year time limit does not apply if the injured person is mentally incapacitated. The time limit will be extended indefinitely until the person regains mental capacity, or it is decided that someone will claim on their behalf.

If claiming on behalf of a child, you can start the claim at any point until their 21st birthday.

In these extremely unfortunate circumstances, when a person has died, the three-year time limit starts from the date of death rather than the date of the accident.

What damage can an electric shock cause?

Depending on the voltage and the length of time the current flows through your body, electric shocks can be extremely damaging and, in some cases, can be fatal.

Injuries caused by electric shock can include:

• Cardiac arrest and long-term cardiovascular issues
• Brain injuries
• Burns, including life-threatening burns in severe cases
• Muscle spasms
• Damage to the nervous system
• Breathing issues
• Fractured bones due to muscle spasms.
• Psychological injuries, including PTSD.

What are the most common causes of electric shock at work claims?

From over three decades of experience representing clients who have suffered from electric shocks at work.

Electric shocks at work are not just limited to those working with electrics on a construction site, but every workplace environment you can imagine, down to an office worker suffering an electric shock due to a faulty kettle.

The most common reasons for electrical shock injuries include:

Accidents caused by faulty or poorly maintained equipment

This could include electric shocks from broken power tools, damaged appliances, or broken kettles in office kitchens.

Exposed or damaged wiring

Employees are at risk of exposure to live currents if the electrical cabling is cracked or broken, or if the wires are frayed or loose.

Improper grounding

If electrical equipment is not properly “earthed”, it can become live and dangerous, increasing employees’ risk of electric shock.

Electrical equipment that has not been adequately tested

Untested electrical equipment that is not regularly tested increases the risk of it becoming faulty and causing injury.

Overloaded sockets

Overloading electrical sockets with multiple adaptors or devices can cause overheating and become a fire hazard.

Poor or inadequate training

Employees are at a higher risk of injury if they have not been adequately trained to use the equipment safely or if they use it in a way it was not intended to be used.

Providing inadequate safety measures

Employees should be made aware of all safety measures when using equipment through adequate warning signs and by providing the necessary personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves.

Electric shocks caused by exposure to wet conditions

Using electrical equipment in a wet environment can be extremely dangerous, and additional safety measures should always be considered.
Overhead power lines

Those working in environments close to overhead power lines can be at risk of serious electric shock if they or their equipment come into contact with them.

Can I make a no win no fee claim for an electric shock?

Yes, all clients represented by Beacon Law are represented on a no win no fee basis. Often known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), no win no fee provides reassurance to those who have suffered an injury that they will be at no financial risk when making a claim.

As part of our no win no fee agreements, clients are protected from any upfront legal costs or hidden charges and can focus on recovering from their injuries without the stress of any financial risk.

A fee, sometimes known as a success fee, will only be paid once your claim is successfully settled. The amount is usually a small percentage of the total compensation amount and will be agreed upon between us before legal proceedings begin. This payment is to compensate your solicitor for their time and work put into assisting with your case.

In some cases, we recommend taking out an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy. This protects you in the rare instance that the claim is unsuccessful. An ATE policy means you have no upfront costs and nothing to pay if you lose the case.

Beacon Law provides complete transparency with how we charge our clients. All fees and costs will be explained at the beginning of the claim.

How much does it cost to make a no win no fee claim for electric shock?

Our no win no fee legal services for electric shocks mean you will not have any upfront costs and will not pay a penny if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim is successful, the person you are claiming against will usually pay the majority of the legal costs, and you will only have to pay the agreed

fee at the beginning of the claim process. Typically, this fee is less than 25% of the compensation you may receive.

If you are a member of a trade union, you may be able to receive free legal advice and representation as part of your membership.

What evidence do I need to claim compensation for an electric shock?

To be successful in your claim, you will need to provide evidence to show that your employer’s negligence caused your injuries and that your injuries have negatively impacted your daily life.

To support your claim for compensation, our solicitors may ask for the following information when you contact us.

• A copy of the accident report that was filed in your company’s accident report book.
• Witness statements from colleagues or anyone who saw the accident and are happy to provide a statement.
• If available, photographs or video of the accident scene, including CCTV footage.
• Any information, such as workplace safety records or evidence that risk assessments were not conducted or (if applicable) that maintenance of equipment was not carried out to the legal requirements
• Investigate if there have been any similar accidents or complaints that may be relevant to your accident.
• Medical records from your GP or hospital, you may have visited after the accident, including any treatment you may have received or are currently receiving.
• Records of any financial losses incurred because of your accident.

Do not worry if you do not have all of this information. Our solicitors can help compile this information on your behalf, which will help to build the most comprehensive case possible to support your claim.

However, to help our solicitors gather as much evidence as possible to support your case, we recommend that you start your claim as soon as possible after your accident took place.