Electrical Burn Injury Claims in Georgia & South Carolina
Electrical burns are among the most severe and complex burn injuries, capable of causing devastating internal damage that far exceeds what is visible on the skin’s surface. Electrical current passing through the body can destroy muscle tissue, damage organs, cause cardiac arrhythmias, and produce thermal burns at entry and exit points. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that electrocutions consistently rank among the top causes of workplace fatalities, and OSHA identifies electrocution as one of the “Fatal Four” hazards in the construction industry.
At Roden Law, our electrical burn injury attorneys represent workers, homeowners, and members of the public who suffer electrocution injuries due to negligence throughout Georgia and South Carolina. These cases often overlap with construction site electrocution claims and workers’ compensation cases.
Common Causes of Electrical Burns
Electrical burn injuries result from several types of electrical contact:
- Arc flash and arc blast: Explosive releases of energy from electrical faults creating temperatures up to 35,000°F — hotter than the surface of the sun
- Direct contact with live conductors: Touching exposed wiring, energized equipment, or overhead power lines
- Faulty electrical equipment: Defective appliances, tools, and machinery with inadequate insulation or grounding
- Construction site hazards: Contact with overhead power lines during crane operations, scaffolding work, or construction activities
- Residential electrical hazards: Outdated wiring, ungrounded outlets, and improper DIY electrical work
- Downed power lines: Storm damage, vehicle collisions with utility poles, and inadequate line maintenance
OSHA Electrical Safety Standards
OSHA’s electrical safety standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart S for general industry; 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K for construction) establish comprehensive requirements for electrical safety in the workplace. Key requirements include lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures before working on energized equipment, maintaining safe clearance distances from overhead power lines, providing insulated tools and PPE including arc-flash rated clothing, implementing ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, and conducting electrical safety training for all exposed workers.
The NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the workplace provides additional requirements for arc flash risk assessment and protective equipment. Violations of OSHA or NFPA standards constitute strong evidence of negligence.
The Severity of Electrical Burns
Electrical burns present unique medical challenges because the visible surface burns often represent only a fraction of the total injury. Electrical current follows paths of least resistance through the body, damaging muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs along the way. Complications include compartment syndrome requiring emergency fasciotomy, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) causing kidney failure, cardiac arrhythmias and arrest, neurological damage and chronic pain syndromes, cataracts developing months after exposure, and amputation of affected extremities.
Pursuing an Electrical Burn Injury Claim
Liable parties in electrical burn cases may include employers who violated OSHA electrical safety standards, general contractors responsible for construction site safety, electrical contractors who performed negligent wiring or installation, power companies that failed to maintain lines or de-energize systems, manufacturers of defective electrical equipment, and property owners who maintained dangerous electrical conditions. Georgia’s comparative fault statute (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) allows recovery if less than 50% at fault. South Carolina allows recovery if less than 51% at fault. Our attorneys work with electrical engineers and burn specialists to prove liability and maximize compensation. Contact Roden Law for a free consultation.