- Don’t overload outlets and extension cords
- Examine electrical cords to make sure they are not damaged
- Don’t exceed the recommended wattage limits on light fixtures
- Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters
- Test smoke detectors annually
- Carefully follow safety precautions and manufacturer's instructions on all
products
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Are electrical injuries just as common in the workplace as they are
in the home?
Workplace injuries are just as common as injuries that occur
in the home. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates
an average of 411 deaths per year occur on job sites as a result of electrical
contact.
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How can accidents and injuries be prevented in the
workplace?
Tragically, many injuries can be prevented by simply following
proper hazard recognition and prevention procedures. For example, a common type
of injury on the job site involves power line contact. Products that are
regularly involved in power line contacts are cranes, bucket trucks, drill rigs,
forklifts, man lifts and other aerial lifts. There have been insulating devices
and various types of warning devices available to manufacturers and distributors
of these products for many years. Sadly, most product manufacturers choose not
to equip their products with these important safety devices.
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How are most electrical injuries, which occur on the job, caused?
Electrical accidents and electrocution are often related to electrical
power system failures including circuit breakers, motors, switchgear, generators
and transformers. People are also injured by defective electrical equipment,
ladders and cranes coming into contact with power lines.
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I was injured while on the job due to faulty equipment and I want
to file a lawsuit. Who would I be suing?
Possible parties to these
accidents are equipment manufacturers, construction entities, and utility
companies. It is best to contact an attorney to discuss the specifics of your
case.
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What is the basis for most lawsuits involving electrical
injuries?
Frequently, lawsuits are based on serious shocks, electrical
fires, even electrocutions caused by negligence in enforcing safety regulations,
negligent maintenance, deficient and defective equipment.
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My son was injured while playing in a tree when a branch touched a
power line. Does the utility company have any responsibility for his
injuries?
A power or utility company must exercise the utmost care to
reduce hazards to life in maintaining and employing high power lines. This
includes a duty to inspect wires and other equipment on a regular schedule so
that hazards and defects can be corrected. If it is reasonably anticipated that
persons might come in contact with energized lines, the power company must
insulate them, post adequate warning signs, or take other precautions reasonable
under the circumstances to prevent injury.
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What is the duty of care imposed on utility companies when someone
is injured due to the dangerous nature of electricity?
The law imposes a
duty of utmost care in these types of situations. An example of such a duty
arises when someone is electrocuted by coming into contact with a high voltage
line in the possession and control of a utility company. In cases of accidents,
other than those related to electrocution, that occur on the property of a
customer and are allegedly caused by some action or inaction on the part of the
electric utility company, the duty is to use reasonable care in the
installation, operation, and maintenance of the electric lines. When the utility
company does not own the equipment, which directly causes the injury, the duty
is less onerous than the duty of utmost care.
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What about faulty wiring; can it pose any dangers?
Most
definitely. Faulty electrical wiring in homes, schools, hospitals, or other
buildings may lead to serious electrical injuries. Bad wiring can cause fires or
expose people to the risk of shock from faulty outlets. In addition, some
defective products that contain old or bad wiring may be hazardous to those
around it. If you suspect that your home or workplace has faulty wiring, make
arrangements to have it addressed as soon as possible.
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Is it
possible to survive a lightning strike injury and is this a common electrical
injury?
If you’ve been struck by lightning, you have more than a 50%
chance of survival. Electrical burns, including those from lighting, account for
4-6% of all admissions to burn units in the US and accounted for approximately
800 fatalities per year in the United States from 1984 through 1987. It is
estimated that lightning causes 75 to 150 deaths per year, with 5 to 10 times
more injuries.
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