Electrocution Accident Lawyer in the Bronx

This is usually the biggest question when someone gets electrocuted. Was it caused by negligence, or was it an honest accident? An experienced electrocution accident attorney serving the Bronx and the surrounding areas can help you determine liability if you or your loved one has been injured in this accident. 

At Morgan and Morgan, we offer a free case evaluation for electrocution victims in the Bronx. So if you are unsure whether someone is responsible for the accident, you do not have to speculate anymore; our attorneys will evaluate your case and determine liability. And if someone's negligence leads to electrocution, we can help you secure the compensation you or your loved one needs after such an incident. 

There are times when the victim may be blamed for the electrocution. For instance, if you trespass onto someone else's property and get electrocuted, it may be difficult to file a claim against them. However, suppose your landlord failed to provide the correct insulation at your rental property, leading to electrocution. In that case, you may be able to hold them responsible for their negligence. 

Electrocution accidents are never similar — each case is unique. However, here are some common accidents that might warrant the need for an experienced electrocution accident attorney in the Bronx. 

Electrocution by a Defective Product

Almost every product in our homes, schools, and society, in general, depends on electricity in one way or another. For this reason, the manufacturers of these products are required to maintain the highest safety standards throughout the manufacturing and distribution process. In other words, any product that uses electricity should be designed to be safe for the user. 

So if you get electrocuted while using an electrical appliance, the product itself could be defective. A good example is an electric water heating kettle. Typically, you would expect to use such a product even when plugged into an electrical outlet. The same applies to a shaving machine - if it uses electricity, you expect it to be safe when plugged in. 

Therefore, if you get electrocuted by such a product, you may be eligible for compensation for sustained injuries. 

Electrocution Due to Unsafe Conditions

This refers to being electrocuted in situations or environments where you do not expect such an accident. Below is a hypothetical example of such a scenario.

Tim arrives at his favorite grocery store on a rainy day. After parking his vehicle, he accidentally sets his foot on a live wire and gets electrocuted. As a result, he suffers severe burns and has to spend weeks in hospital. In such a case, someone could be responsible for Tim's injury.

This is because, under normal circumstances, no one would expect to step onto a live electric wire while exiting their vehicle unless the live wire appeared as a result of negligence. In this case, the local city council, the property owner, or even both, could be responsible for creating or failing to eliminate the dangerous condition. 

Electrocution accidents are some of the most severe. In fact, many victims do not live to tell the story, and those who are lucky to survive usually have scars.

Some of the most common effects of electrocution accidents include:

Burns

When an individual gets electrocuted, there is always a high possibility of fire. And these kinds of fires are serious - they can lead to severe burns, causing permanent injuries and scarring. 

Paralysis

When electric currents find their way into the human body system, they may disrupt how the nerves function. As a result, victims of such accidents may suffer from partial or permanent paralysis, especially around the area that first got in contact with the dangerous condition. 

Broken Bones

Electrocution, especially at elevated platforms, such as buildings, could send the victim falling to the ground. As a result, they could suffer several broken bones and internal injuries. 

Wrongful Death

Death is the most devastating consequence of electrocution. Electrocution can lead to instant yet painful death depending on the amount of voltage involved or the exposure to the dangerous condition. This mostly happens when the electrical currents travel through the bloodstream and into the heart, preventing it from functioning. 

Physical injuries aside, electrocution can also lead to serious financial consequences. Most victims spend days, weeks, or even months in hospital, depending on the severity of their injuries. This leads to higher medical bills, inability to work, and loss of earning potential, among other financial losses. 

If you or your loved one is a victim of electrocution, you may be able to file a claim to recover the damages incurred. You can either file the claim independently or with the help of an attorney. The latter is always the best option. 

Morgan and Morgan electrocution accident lawyers in the Bronx can help maximize your claim. This is because, in some cases, more than one party may be liable for your injury. So when you contact us for a free case evaluation, we will first assess the validity of your claim. Then, if you have a valid claim, we will investigate it to prove liability.

Next, we will assess your damages before filing a claim. This step gives us a clearer understanding of what you may be eligible for as compensation for your injuries. An experienced attorney knows that it is never advisable to file a claim right away. 

Rather than filing a claim immediately, it may be necessary to wait until you attain maximum medical improvement, meaning your condition will not improve beyond that point. When filing a claim, our attorneys will also ensure that it meets all the requirements to increase your chances of recovering compensation.

A typical electrocution injury claim must satisfy the following elements:

Duty of Care

The plaintiff must establish that the liable party owed them a duty of care. For example, if you got electrocuted at the grocery store, you must prove that the grocery store owner owed you a duty of care. 

Of course, this element is usually subject to debate. For instance, if you got electrocuted while breaking into the grocery store, the defendant does not owe you a duty of care. An experienced attorney can help establish and prove duty of care. 

Breach of Duty 

Even if the defendant owed you a duty of care, in this case, the grocery store owner, you must also prove that they breached this duty. Therefore, it may not be enough to claim that you got electrocuted at the grocery store - you must prove it was the grocery store owner's responsibility to protect you from such danger, and they failed to do so.

Cause of Injury

In addition to proving a duty of care and breach of duty, you must also demonstrate that these two elements were the reason you got injured in the first place. In this context, you must prove that you got injured because of electrocution. Like other elements, the defense will find a way to blame you for the injury or share the blame, effectively limiting the amount you may be able to recover as compensation for your loss.

Damages

You must also prove that you suffered damages due to the injury you sustained after electrocution. Damages usually fall under two subcategories: economic and non-economic damages. 

Examples of economic damages include medical bills, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, cost of future medical treatment, etc. 

On the other hand, non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (a separate claim usually filed by the victim's relatives, family, or spouse), and so on.

By now, you probably understand that working with an experienced attorney is important in your pursuit of compensation after an electrocution injury. Here is a more in-depth look at how such an attorney can help.

Determining Liability

More than one party might be responsible for your injury. If so, an attorney can help investigate your claim and determine exactly who owes you compensation for the damages. This process helps maximize your claim, ensuring you receive the compensation you need and deserve. 

Gathering Evidence

Since electrocution accidents may attract huge settlements, you need an attorney who can build a strong case against the liable party. This involves gathering relevant and powerful evidence. Weak evidence could jeopardize the entire claim or reduce the amount you may be eligible to recover. 

Establishing the Best Legal Pathway to Take

An attorney considers many different factors before filing a claim. For example, there are times when it might be necessary to file a worker's compensation claim. Other times, a personal injury claim could be the best way to approach such a case. You can count on your attorney's experience to establish the best way to pursue the case and maximize your compensation. 

Dealing With the Other Party on Your Behalf

It is stressful to pursue a personal injury claim. It is even more stressful when you are the victim and still nursing active injuries both physically, mentally, and emotionally. For this reason, an attorney can step in and deal with the other party on your behalf. 

Another great benefit of having an attorney represent you is that you will not have to deal with the tactics insurance companies use to avoid liability. This ensures peace of mind as you continue to recover from your injuries. 

Calculating the Settlement Amount

Even if you have a valid case against the negligent party, you need someone to calculate what you may be entitled to as compensation. Most victims usually focus on medical bills, lost wages, etc. However, a skilled attorney will find other damages you didn't even know existed. For example, you may be able to file a loss of enjoyment of life claim if the injury lowered your quality of life and prevented you from enjoying the things you once did. 

Negotiating a Settlement on Your Behalf

When the other party realizes that you do not have an attorney by your side, they will likely propose a lowball offer. This is because they assume you do not fully understand what you may be entitled to. Some insurance companies will even hire investigators to examine your life and determine what kind of settlement might seem reasonable by your standards. 

However, when they deal directly with your attorney, they will not have the chance to undervalue your claim. Again, this is because seasoned electrocution accident lawyers in the Bronx know how to negotiate settlements in their client's best interests. 

Filing a Lawsuit or Appeal on Your Behalf

If the other party refuses to settle, the attorney might file a lawsuit, bringing the case in front of the judge. And when that happens, the attorney will prepare you for the court process, including a deposition if the need arises. This gives you the confidence to face the defendant and jury. 

Suppose the jury rules against you. Your attorney can file an appeal compelling them to review it again, probably with new evidence.

There are many electrocution accident lawyers in the Bronx, but you need someone experienced and aggressive enough to fight for you. You are one step away from meeting that person. All you have to do is fill out our free case evaluation form.