Construction Site Electrocution Claims
Electrocution is one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” — the four leading causes of death in the construction industry, along with falls, struck-by incidents, and caught-in/between hazards. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction workers suffer hundreds of fatal and non-fatal electrocution injuries annually. Contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, and improperly grounded equipment creates lethal hazards on construction sites throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
At Roden Law, our construction site electrocution attorneys represent workers and their families in both workers’ compensation claims and third-party negligence lawsuits. Electrocution injuries — including electrical burns, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, and amputations — can be permanently disabling or fatal, and our attorneys pursue every available source of compensation.
Common Causes of Construction Site Electrocutions
Construction site electrocution incidents typically result from preventable hazards:
- Overhead power line contact: Cranes, aerial lifts, scaffolding, and long materials (pipes, ladders, rebar) contacting energized overhead lines
- Exposed wiring: Damaged insulation, improper splices, and exposed conductors on temporary electrical systems
- Improperly grounded equipment: Power tools and equipment lacking proper grounding or GFCI protection
- Underground utilities: Excavation striking buried electrical lines that were not properly located and marked
- Damaged extension cords: Frayed, cut, or improperly repaired cords used in wet conditions
- Inadequate lockout/tagout: Working on electrical systems that were not properly de-energized and locked out
OSHA Electrical Safety Standards for Construction
OSHA’s construction electrical standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K) and general electrical safety requirements establish critical protections:
- Minimum clearance distances from overhead power lines (varies by voltage, minimum 10 feet for lines under 50kV)
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection for all temporary wiring on construction sites
- Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures (29 CFR 1910.147) before working on electrical systems
- Assured equipment grounding conductor program as an alternative to GFCI
- Proper training for workers exposed to electrical hazards
- Use of insulated tools and personal protective equipment
Violations of these standards constitute evidence of negligence and may support both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits.
Electrocution Injuries & Complications
Electrical current passing through the body causes devastating injuries that extend far beyond visible burn marks: cardiac arrest and arrhythmias, severe entry and exit wound burns, internal tissue destruction along the current’s path, nerve damage and chronic neuropathic pain, traumatic brain injury from cardiac arrest or falls, compartment syndrome requiring emergency surgery, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, and amputation of affected limbs. Many electrocution complications — including cataracts, neurological disorders, and cardiac problems — may not manifest until weeks or months after the initial injury.
Liability in Construction Electrocution Cases
Multiple parties may bear responsibility for construction site electrocutions: general contractors who failed to implement electrical safety programs, subcontractors who created or ignored electrical hazards, power utility companies that failed to de-energize or relocate lines when requested, equipment manufacturers whose defective products lacked proper insulation or grounding, and property owners who failed to disclose known electrical hazards. Georgia’s comparative fault statute (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) allows recovery if less than 50% at fault. South Carolina permits recovery if less than 51% at fault. Our attorneys investigate OSHA citations, utility company records, and equipment specifications to identify all liable parties. Contact Roden Law for a free consultation.