Electric shock at work claims

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your electric shock injury, or from the date you first became aware of an injury caused by the shock, to make a claim.

If you’re thinking about claiming, it’s best to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible. The sooner you get in touch, the easier it is to gather the evidence needed to support your case.

Yes, you can still make a claim even if you were partly to blame. Under the legal principle of contributory negligence, which means you were partly at fault, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

For example, if you were found to be 50% responsible for the accident, your compensation award would be reduced by 50%. Our specialist team will explain how this might apply to your situation.

The amount you could receive depends on the severity of your injury and the impact it’s had on your life. This includes your ability to work, your need for ongoing treatment, and any long-term physical or psychological effects.

Once we know the details of your situation, we can give you a clearer picture of what your claim may be worth.

If you’re unable to return to the work you did before your injury, your compensation can include a payment for loss of earnings – both the income you’ve already lost and any future earnings you’ll miss out on.

Most compensation awards take this into account, and we’ll make sure your settlement properly reflects the longer-term impact on your career and finances.

To support your claim, it helps to have evidence of what happened and the injuries you suffered.

This can include medical records, an accident book entry or RIDDOR report, witness statements from colleagues, photographs of the hazard or scene, and any records of complaints made about faulty equipment or unsafe conditions.

If you don’t have all of this evidence, our team can help you gather what’s needed.

From the moment you contact us, we’ll handle the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

Your solicitor will keep you informed at every stage, answer any questions you have, and work with independent medical experts to build the strongest possible case. We’ll also work to ensure you receive the right level of compensation for both your immediate losses and any longer-term needs.

It costs you nothing upfront. We work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, which means you don’t pay us anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

If we secure compensation for you, a success fee will be deducted from your settlement, which will be discussed up front. We believe access to justice shouldn’t depend on your financial situation.

According to HSE data, it is estimated that 30 electrical accidents at work in the UK are fatal. This is comparable to approximately 1,000 accidents involving electricity every year, putting fatal outcomes at 3%.

The symptoms of an electric shock vary depending on your overall health, the duration of the shock, the voltage involved, and the type of current.

If your shock was mild, you might feel tingling and numbness. More serious electrical shocks may result in symptoms such as burns, muscle contractions or spasms, difficulty breathing, seizures, cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, weak or no pulse, or vision or hearing issues.

In some cases, you may experience longer-term physical consequences after an electric shock, such as chronic pain, neurological problems, or cataracts in your eyes.

The most common causes of electric shock accidents at work include faulty or poorly maintained equipment, lack of proper safety measures, exposed or damaged wiring, poor or inadequate training, overhead power lines, wet conditions, improper grounding, and overloaded sockets.